Eugene "Gene" Carlson

Amberley Village - Eugene (Gene) Carlson passed away surrounded by his family on May 2, 2021. Beloved husband of Jo-Ann. Cherished father of Michael (Linda), Kathleen (Bart) Shanks and Carolyn (Jim) Champion. Doting grandfather of Devon, Andreya, Brady, Danielle, Haley and Conner. He was the loving son of the late Roger and Lauretta Carlson and loving brother of Charles (Jan), and the late Eunice (Al) Oliver, Florence, and Eleanor (Chester) Buchanan. All of Gene's nieces and nephews were very dear to him as well.

Gene was born on May 9, 1926 in Inglewood, CA, the youngest of 5 children. Shortly after, the Carlson family moved back to their previous home of Jackson Hole, WY. During his school years, Gene and his family also lived in Gardner, MT and Rock Springs, WY.At the age of 17, Gene enlisted in the Army Air Corps because he wanted to defend his country during WWII. The AAC accepted him, but made him wait until his 18th birthday before he could begin pilot training in New Mexico. He was honorably discharged at the end of the war.

Gene then attended the University of Wyoming (Go Cowboys!) where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering.Gene began working for General Electric in their Engineering Development Program with rotations at various locations until he found a home in Cincinnati, OH where he met his future wife and love of his life, Jo-Ann, who also worked at GE. After getting married in 1960, Gene and Jo-Ann had a son and 2 daughters. In 1970, he and his family moved back west to Denver, CO where he worked for Martin Marietta and was on the engineering team for NASA's SKYLAB project. The family next moved to Knoxville, TN where he worked for Union Carbide and finally Gene, Jo-Ann and Carolyn moved back to Denver and Martin Marietta. He retired about 5 years later so he and Jo-Ann could move back to Cincinnati where the first grandchildren were beginning to arrive.

Gene put family and faith first, while still having a very successful career.Just like with his own children, Gene was a very active participant in his grandchildren's lives. They fondly called him Papa and loved hearing stories about their real life cowboy grandpa who grew up in a log cabin at the base of the Teton mountains.He was an outdoors guy who enjoyed horseback riding, tennis, gardening, golf and many other activities.

Gene was a humble man, somewhat reserved, but everyone who knew him loved his quick wit and dry sense of humor. He was an excellent listener and if asked, would give his always honest opinion or advice. Gene will be remembered with much love by his family and friends.

Visitation will be Friday, May 7, 2021 at Gilligan Funeral Homes (Kenwood) from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. The funeral Mass will begin at 11:00 a.m. at Church of the Nativity, Ridge Rd, Cincinnati, OH, 45213. It will also be live-streamed at the following website: nativity-cincinnati.org Gene's remains will be interred at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Montgomery Rd, Cincinnati, OHIf desired, donations may be directed in his memory to COPDFoundation.org or hospiceofcincinnati.org

Visitation

Friday, May 7, 2021 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Gilligan Funeral Homes - Kenwood
8225 Montgomery Road Cincinnati 4523, United States

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