2023 03/08 – Gary Paul Carlson

Gary Paul Carlson entered eternal rest on February 29, 2024. He was born on September 27, 1938 in Centralia. He was a lifelong Centralian.

Gary attended Centralia Township High School, graduating in 1956. He attended Centralia Township College, graduating in 1959 with a degree of Associate in Arts. He was a veteran serving in the US Army.

At age 16, Gary started working for Hollywood Brands in the shipping department. He was promoted to Traffic Manager at age 20 and worked for Hollywood for 15 years. He owned Fred & Mary’s Place from 1968 until he sold the business in 2013 and retired. He was known for corny jokes and for his generosity to his friends and customers. He was always there for someone in need.

In his younger years, he was an outdoorsman who loved to fish in his pond or Lake Centralia. He loved to ride his beloved horses Tramp and Taffy. He was a humble man who loved to watch old westerns and read books about the Old West. He was an avid sports enthusiast who was a good golfer in his younger years. He enjoyed many trips to Las Vegas with his buddies. He was a loyal son, brother, uncle and friend.

Gary never married nor had any children. He took an active roll as “Uncle Gary” with his nieces and nephews. He entertained them with camping trips to the Ozarks and introduced them outdoor life on his land. He taught them how to ride a horse.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents Raymond Eugene Carlson and Julia Esther (Lempia) Carlson Simcox; Nephew Jeffrey Gola, niece Julie Stover and brother-in-law Ronald Klosterman.  Also, his horses Tramp and Taffy and his dog Tippy.

He is survived by sister Nancy Gola and husband Lou of Cincinnati, Ohio, and sister Joan Klosterman of Centralia. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews Kimberly Broadhurst, Michael Broadhurst, Janice Schaatz, Christina Oatman, Jacqueline West. John Snyder, Kenneth Gola, and Ronald Klosterman. Additionally, he is survived by 17 great nieces and nephews and 9 great-great nieces and nephews.  Gary also leaves behind his cat Goldie.

A visitation for family and friends will be held Friday, March 8, 2024, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia. A service will be held at 11:00 am at Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia with Military Rites at the grave by the American Legion Post 446 and V.F.W. Post 2055. Memorials may be made to Centralia Humane Society and will be accepted by the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street in Centralia, IL 62801 (618) 532-3523, who is honored to be of service to the Carlson family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com or the Funeral Home’s Facebook page.