Milo Edwin Carlson

Services will be at 2:00 PM Saturday, April 23, 2005, at the First Baptist Church with Dr. Johnny Funderburg, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Born July 9, 1918, in Neosho County, Kansas, Milo was the only child of J.E. and Elsie Carlson, who preceded him in death. His family first came to Skellytown in 1927 and he graduated from Pampa High School in 1935. He worked afterwards in his father's construction company named J.E. Carlson, Inc. with headquarters in Pampa. He married Mary Pauline Leverett on April 2, 1939 and they recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary together. Milo was a successful businessman and retired in 1986. His oldest son Jerry now owns the original construction company, now in its 68th year of continuous operation. Milo was also a faithful member and a Deacon Emeritus of the First Baptist Church, and served as Building Committee Chairman for the construction of the current sanctuary. He was also a dedicated citizen of Pampa. His civic service accomplishments include being the Mayor of Pampa from 1969 to 1972, and he served on the Pampa Zoning Board, Gray County Airport Board, and Pampa Industrial Foundation Board. During his two elected terms as Mayor, his outstanding leadership resulted in the construction of the M. K. Brown Civic Auditorium, Pampa Water Treatment Plant, upgrades to the park system, as well as many improvements in Pampa's governmental practices. Other personal accomplishments were highlighted by his 23 years of service to the Boy Scouts of America. He served as President of the Adobe Walls Council from 1970 to 1971, during which he was instrumental in the construction of Camp M. K. Brown. He was recognized for his service with the Silver Beaver Award in 1968. He is a charter member of the Senior Citizens Board of Directors, and helped start the Senior Citizens Center. He was president of the Pampa Rotary Club in 1971-1972, and is a Paul Harris Fellow. He was honored as Man of the Year in Pampa by the Pampa Chamber of Commerce in 1982. On the personal side, Milo was an accomplished horticulturalist and master of many artistic skills. As a young man, he was an avid amateur archaeologist, and a collector of plains Indian artifacts. In his middle age, he was an amateur gemologist and turned out beautiful fine jewelry work using precious stone faceting, silver- and gold-smithing, and investment casting techniques. Later in life, his artistic interests were focused on woodturning, and he created numerous art-quality pieces which won him first place awards at the Texas State Fair in 1989, and the honor of Pampa Fine Arts Association Artist of the Year for 1994-5. He was an avid outdoor sportsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing of all kinds, particularly on his family farm in Neosho County Kansas. His love of flying, as an instrument-rated private pilot, complemented his business pursuits and recreational interests for more than 40 years. Milo was proud that all four of his sons received Mechanical Engineering degrees and achieved their own success in business. To his sons and many others he was a Mentor, Coach, Encourager and Friend. He taught by example in living his life: Integrity, Honesty, Work Ethic, Kindheartedness, Compassion, Generosity and Love. Milo is survived by his wife Pauline, sons and daughters-in-law; Jerry and Sherry Carlson of Pampa, John and Sue Carlson of Lindale, Texas, Jack and Karen Carlson of Houston, Texas, and Gene and Cindy Carlson of Aledo, Texas, as well as nine Grand-children, and 14 great grand-children. Memorials may be made to: First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 621, Pampa, Texas 79066, or Pampa Senior Citizens Center, 500 W. Francis, Pampa, Texas 79065.