Rudolph Carlson

May 18, 1931 - October 9, 2007

Rudolph C. Carlson, 76, of 22 3rd St., Greenhurst Village, died at 5:00 A.M. Saturday (Oct. 6, 2007) in his home. He was born May 18, 1931 in Jamestown, the son of Rudolph C. and Helen Rogers Carlson. Mr. Carlson was a 1951 graduate of Jamestown High School. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving from 1951 to 1955 with two years of service in Japan. He also served for four years in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. Prior to his retirement in 1993 he was employed by MRC/SKF in the shipping department. Following his retirement he served as sexton for 12 years at St. Timothy Lutheran Church in Bemus Point, as a driver for RSVP, and worked part time at Lutheran Social Services. A true family man, Mr. Carlson loved watching his grandsons play football in high school and in college. He loved gardening and watching the birds. He was also always interested the activities of Bemus Point Boy Scout Troop 137. His memberships included the Thule Lodge, Ira Lou Spring Post 149 American Legion, Lakewood rod and Gun Club, and the Jamestown Super Travelers. Surviving are his wife, the former Sandra K. Rice, with whom he celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on April 6th of this year; a son, Dennis G. (Becky) Carlson, and a daughter, Debra Raynor, both of Bemus Point; six grandchildren: Danny (Carri) Raynor, Derrick Raynor, Nicholas and Amanda Carlson, all of Bemus Point, Devin Raynor of Allegheny College, and Dustin Raynor of Cortland College; a great granddaughter, Laken Rayor of Bemus Point; a sister, Mae Stanford of Mayville; three nephews: David Mecusker of Lake Butler, Fla., Curtis Mecusker of Austin Texas, and Roger Newell of Fredonia; and two nieces: Ginger Ward of Lake Butler, Fla., and Barbara St. Clair of Houston, Tex. He was preceded in death by a son, Douglas R. Carlson, who died June 25, 1994; and by a sister, Virginia Smith. The funeral will be at 1:00 P.M. Wednesday in St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Bemus Point. The rev. Jeff Silvernail, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. today in Powers, Present & Sixbey Funeral Home. Email condolences may be sent by visiting the website www.presentsixbeyfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to St. Timothy Lutheran Church, 3748 Rte. 430, Bemus Point, NY 14712; or to Hospice Chautauqua County, 4840 West Lake Rd., Mayville, NY 14757.