James Lennie Carlson entered this world on December 6, 1947. He was born to Ralph Eaven and Dorothy Catherine Carlson, following closely after his sister Judith Ann and later followed by Laura Kay. After his mother’s passing, Ralph married Luella Marie Janzen, producing their next sibling, John Ralph.

Jim attended Harrison Elementary, Walnut Hill and Technical High School. He played football and ran track. Upon his graduation in 1967, he began work as a draftsman for Henningsen, Durham and Richardson, until he received that ominous draft notice. Not to be outdone by the US Government, he enlisted in the Navy, with the stipulation that he be trained in a trade in the Seabees, in his case electrical. He sang his way through boot camp in the Navy Bluejackets Choir, then was stationed at Point LeMoore, California, Guam, Okinawa and Panama with Battalion NMCB-4. He married Kae Russell on February 20, 1971. He then worked for Wells Fargo, Omaha Electrical Supply, IBEW as a construction electrician, then at the Union Pacific Shops for 33 years, retiring in June, 2008, as a senior shop foreman general.

Jim and Kae had three children; Erica, Jessica (Erik Hackler) and Benjamin (Kristina), 11 grandchildren; Tyler, Alec, Breydan, Brienna, Jordan, Cierra, Samantha, Nyleah, Alan, Landon and Fiona, all of whom he cherished and was very proud. He most likely rocked half of them to sleep in the same chair.

We was a unique individual with many abilities; art, singing, design, woodworking, reading, daydreaming and puttering, making interesting and sometimes pointless things. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, gentle, kind detailed, funny, forgiving, encouraging, and stubborn, which is why we are here today.

We will miss him with our whole hearts, but Heaven will be richer by a few workbenches. Thank you for sharing your life with us.

Attendance is limited to family and close friends at this time. Jim has requested Hawaiian attire for the funeral. There will be live streaming on Facebook Live of the service.

In lieu of flowers, please send live plants to be sent home or consider donating to these organizations: Grace Church gracefremontpca.org or Salvation Army give.salvationarmyusa.org.