Gordon L. Carlson

Gordon L. Carlson, 88, of Punta Gorda passed away on October 27, 2015 in Port Charlotte, FL. He was born December 5, 1926 in Jamestown, NY, the son of Rudolph and Josephine Carlson. After graduating from Jamestown HS, Gordon served his country in the US Navy. He graduated from the University of Miami with a Business Administration degree, which led to a very successful 30-year career with IBM in Jacksonville, Miami, and Tampa. Gordon moved to the Punta Gorda area in 1976 to pursue his love of fishing and the outdoors. His favorite pastime was creating outdoor memories while camping and fishing with his family. Gordon and Margaret loved travelling across the country together making life-long friends and memories along the way. He loved the Dolphins, the Hurricanes, his country, his Lord, and was blessed worshipping at First Baptist Church of Ft. Ogden. Gordon will be incredibly missed by family and friends who will remember his kindness, generosity, and unique sense of humor that kept everyone laughing. Gordon is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Margaret; children, Beth Carlson Smith (Kevin) of Orlando, Skip Carlson (Kathy) of Naples, Bruce Page of Lakeland, Jo Carlson Crysler (Mark Curran) of Ft. Worth, TX, Tamra Gomes (Robert) of Punta Gorda, Michelle Saunders (Michael) of Port Charlotte; thirteen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; brother, Garwood Carlson (Maxine) of New Mexico and two nieces. Gordon was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Beatrice Kay Studd, and daughter, Westray Lynn Carlson. A celebration service will be at 1pm, Saturday, November 14, 2015 at Larry Taylor Funeral and Cremation Services, Punta Gorda. A celebration will be at 3pm, Saturday, November 14, 2015 at Shell Creek Park Recreation Hall, Punta Gorda. Memorial donations may be made in Gordon's memory to Douglas Jacobson Veteran's Home, 21281 Grayton Terrace, Port Charlotte, FL 33954. To express condolences to the family, please visit www.Ltaylorfuneral.com and sign the online guest book.