John B. Carlson was born on October 15, 1933 in Seattle to John and Dorothy Carlson, where he joined his sister Helen. His parents divorced when he was six. John went to live with his grandmother in Silvana. When his mother remarried, he moved with her to Arlington for a short time. He then attended Brisco School for boys in Kent Valley from fourth through eighth grade. He spent his high school years living with Huseby's in Silvana where he milked cows for his room and board and $100 a month. John graduated from Arlington High School in 1952. After one year at Western Washington College with Merydee. John volunteered for the Army. John met the love of his life, Merydee Ness, when they were seventeen years old. They spent their entire lives together, except when he was in Basic Training at Fort Ord for three months. The Korean Truce was signed while he was in basic training so he was deployed to Fort Benning, Georgia. He came home to Everett on leave and he and Merydee were married on Aug. 7, 1954. They headed to Fort Benning a day after they got married. They only had six days to make the trip or he would have been AWOL. It was hardly a leisurely honeymoon in the 100° plus weather in a non air-conditioned car.

They had their real honeymoon many years later while touring Switzerland. It was the only trip they ever had alone, and they both agreed it was worth the wait.

John obtained an early discharge after 2 ½ years because he was enrolled in college. We had another mandatory six day trip only this time Merydee who was newly pregnant and vomited her way to Bellingham. It was years before Merydee wanted to take a long car trip.

Then we had time to finish our teaching degrees at Western Washington University. Deborah was born in Nov. 1956

John's first teaching job was sixth grade in Stanwood, where our son Gregory was born. Next John taught at Lincoln School in Mount Vernon. We bought our present home in Mount Vernon and our son Russell was born. John moved to Laventure when it opened.

Next John taught at Mount Vernon High School until he retired.

Our favorite leisure time activities include sailing in the San Juan Islands and Desolation Sound with Bonnie and Keith Harding, and camping with Herm and Marge Wild, and Jr. and Joy Dunham and Fred and Beth Sizelove

John was a real family man. Their children joined them in boating and camping activities and cross-country skiing. Our family raised three of our grandsons and numerous foster children. Merydee counted forty people who had lived with them over time.

John and Merydee's outdoor activities were curtailed when Merydee's back broke due to her osteoporosis. John was very gentle and helpful to her.

The one outside the family activity, John had was mountain rescue. He had some harrowing helicopter rescues, usually at night.

John's life was shortened by virulent Alzheimer's in his last years.

A Celebration of John's life will be held at Hawthorne Funeral Home at 1825 E College Way, Mount Vernon, on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at 1:30 P.M. There will be a reception following the graveside Service.

John was preceded in death by his parents Dorothy and John and his sister Helen.

Donations may be made to Hospice of the NW , Mount Vernon Volunteer Firefighters or a charity of your choice