Emil J. ’Jack’ Carlson

Emil "Jack" Carlson, 82, Moorhead, MN, died on Thursday, March 10, 2011, in his home in Moorhead.Emil or "Jack" was born July 18, 1928 in Hammond, Indiana to Edith and Emil C. Carlson. He was raised in Chicago, IL in a southern community area called Hegewish. He graduated from Thornton Fractional High School in Calumet City, Illinois in 1946. After his mother died that summer, Jack enlisted in the Army to participate in the occupation of Japan after World War II. Following his military service, he attended Rochester Junior College, where he played on the basketball team, earned a degree in Ophthalmic Optics and met his lovely wife Marvie. They married in 1951 and moved to Fargo, where Jack began his 35 year career in the Optical business. He first worked for Bausch and Lomb, then Harold's Optical and finally Benson Optical, from which he retired as Manager in 1985.Jack led a very active life. He loved playing sports, dancing and singing in the FM Barbershop Chorus. He was also an accomplished amateur carpenter, who worked extensively on his own home and those of family and friends. Jack was a longtime member of the American Legion in Fargo and the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd Moorhead.Jack is survived by his daughter, Jana Sidney Schmid, Moorhead; sons, John Carol Carlson, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Robert Kristen Nelson Carlson, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Richard Carlson, Moorhead; brothers, Harold and Richard Carlson, Chicago, IL; sister, June Carlson, Chicago, IL; four grandchildren, Jacob and Megan Schmid, Moorhead, MN, and Britta and Joren Carlson, Salt Lake City, Utah.In lieu of flowers or other gifts, it is suggested that donations be made to the Association for Retarded Citizens, 215 University Dr., Fargo, ND 58102.