Robert "Bob" Karlak

Robert William “Bob” Karlak, 77, passed away Thursday March 13, 2014 at MS Baptist Medical Center. Visitation will be 4-6pm Sunday March 16, 2014 at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home in Ridgeland. Funeral services will be 1:00pm Monday March 17, 2014 at the funeral home preceded by visitation at 12 Noon. Burial will be in Lakewood Memorial Park.

Mr. Karlak was born on December 20, 1936 in Chicago. He was a 1954 graduate of Jackson Central High School and graduated from MS State University in 1959. He married Carroll Watkins in 1958. He served in the US Army then returned to Jackson and worked as a structural engineer for Overstreet Architecture and Cooke, Douglass, Farr and Lemons before establishing his own engineering practice.

Beginning with his participation in school bands, including the Central High Tiger Band, MS Lions’ All-State Band, and the MS State Maroon Band, Mr. Karlak was a lifelong saxophonist. In high school he established a dance band, the Centralaires, and performed in Jackson bands led by Jerry Lane and Jules Barlow as well as with the Capitol City Concert Band and the Top Hats. He loved spending time at his beach house in Gulf Shores. He served as Deacon at Trinity Presbyterian Church and was a member of Northpark Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Karlak was preceded in death by his wife Carroll Karlak, father Anthony Karlak, and sister Kathryn Newman. Survivors include: mother Inez Karlak; son Alan Karlak of Redmond, WA; daughter Laura Ostrem of Montezuma, IA; daughter Karen Walker of Fort Walton Beach, FL; grandchildren Catherine Karlak and Stephanie Hamilton; Christopher, Andrew, Jonathan, and Daniel Walker; and Robert, Elizabeth, and Benjamin Ostrem; and lifelong friend Dorothy Gillaspy.

In lieu of flowers donations may be sent to Reach Beyond (Rydbeck Ministry), PO Box 381442, Birmingham AL 35238.