Gordon "Gordy" H. Carlson

Gordon “Gordy” Hillberg Carlson, 87, of Roscoe, passed away on Wednesday, August 15, 2018. Gordon was born February 14, 1931 in Rockford, son of Carl A. and Christine (Hillberg) Carlson. He married Shirley Hart on June 25, 1949 in Beloit, WI. He later married Jacqueline Hollis on August 26, 1969 in Commerce City, CO.

Throughout most of his life, Gordy had many jobs; he painted water towers, worked in grocery stores, ran a bar and restaurant in Janesville, WI, sold cars for several dealerships in Beloit and Rockford, ran a bread truck for Colonial Bread, worked for Sunshine Crackers, sold pots and pans and sold coffee for Continental. He also owned and operated different restaurants in Washington state and Missouri. Gordy and Jackie finally retired in Tennessee. In 2016, he moved back to the Rockford area to be closer to his family. Gordy liked fishing and was a car enthusiast. He enjoyed buying and driving luxury automobiles. Gordy’s latest acquisition was a 1979 Lincoln Continental, Mark V, with 8,500 original miles. He was very proud of his children and their accomplishments.

Survivors include his children, Deborah Thelen, Jerry (Sandi) Carlson, Ardenne (Daniel) Casey, Pam (Scott) Henninger, Cindy (Dave) Meindl, Leslie (Dan Draeving) Melton and Lori (John Ridley) Carlson; step-children, Sherry and Steve Hollis; sister, Astrid “Ott” Johnson; 16 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews and special friends, Dave Anset of Sequim, WA and Janice (Mick) Clark of Morristown, TN.

Predeceased by his parents; wife, Jackie; brothers, Arnold and Irving Carlson; granddaughter, Kelly Steurer and son-in-law, Lou Thelen.

Special thanks to the caregivers at OSF, Cor Mariae, Mercy Health and Alden Debes.

Funeral service 11:30 a.m. August 25, 2018 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, IL 61108; Rev. Dean W. Parker officiating. Visitation 10:00 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home. Burial in Arlington Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family of Gordon Carlson.

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