James V. Carlson

James V. (Jim) Carlson was born on April 29, 1931 in Winfield, Kansas, only child of Mildred (Farnsworth) and Perry Carlson. He passed away May 7, 2019, preceded in death by his wife, Louann Carlson (Lewis) on February 15, 2017.

Jim grew up in the oilfields of Kansas, following his father through his career. His mother was an entrepreneur, running her restaurant in Wichita, Kansas called The Windmill.

He enlisted in the Air Force, based at Norton Air Force Base, working as a Crypto Operator in the Korean War. Jim left the military with an honorable discharge when his father passed away. By this time, his mother had been diagnosed with crippling arthritis, and needed Jim to assist her.

Jim went to Wichita State during the day, and worked for the Missouri-Pacific Railroad, where he got his first experience in logistics, at night. He then went on to acquire a degree from Chicago Advance Traffic Rates and Regulations school, became a 32 degree Mason from the Albert Pike Masonic Lodge in Wichita, Kansas, received certification from Dale Carnegie Sales and Marketing, and La Salle Business Law School.

Jim met and married Louann Carlson while working for Jones Truck Lines. They were married on December 6th, 1958 at United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas. During their 58 years together, they resided in Wichita, Kansas with their three children, Jimmy Ross, Claire and Perry until Jim was offered a position at Transcon Truck Lines and moved to Houston, Texas. His career path in trucking and logistics took him then to St. Louis, Missouri with Southwest Motor Freight, Kansas City to Tollie Freightways and then Roll-On Transportation, where he worked until retirement.

Jim and Louann retired to Rogers, Arkansas, where Jim was very involved in the Northwest Arkansas Scimitar Shrine Club. He was the Chairman of the NWA Circus and helped facilitate it for 15 years. He was ultimately awarded “NWA Circus Emeritus” and commissioned a Kentucky Colonel.

Jim had a great laugh and sense of humor. He knew no strangers. He was known as “The Old Partner”, and had a handshake and a story for anyone nearby.

Preceded in death by his wife Louann, he is survived by Jimmy Ross Carlson and his two daughters Crystal and Amy of Seattle, Washington, Claire Billingsley of Dallas, Texas, and Perry Carlson, his wife Angela, and their two children Grace and Ryan Carlson of Kansas City, Missouri.

The family invites you to share a celebration of life on June 1st, 2019, at 1pm at Rollins Funeral Home 1401 W. Hudson Road Rogers, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, he family requests donations to be sent to Shriners Hospital for Children, 4400 Clayton Avenue, St. Louise MO, https://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org.