Carl F Carson

Carl Francis Carson, Jr., age 96, a longtime resident of Okmulgee, passed away on April 24, 2022 in his home surrounded by his family.

A new song was begun on November 3, 1925 when Carl Francis, Jr was born to Carl Francis, Sr and Lola Carson in Chattanooga, Oklahoma. He was affectionately nicknamed Carly by his mother because when she called for Carl both came running.

Carly was driving a tractor on the family farm at age 7. Milking cows in the morning before school and working in the fields in the afternoon after school.

In order to get a break from the 16-hour farm days, Carly enlisted in the Army on November 8, 1945. He served as a Chaplain Assistant stationed in Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland as World War II ended.

In 1947 upon returning home from Maryland, Carly enrolled at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Oklahoma and would graduate with a degree in Music Ministry in 1949. During his time at OBU, he met the love of his life, Joyce Lee White and they would begin writing their own song together. On June 5, 1949 Carly and Joyce were married in the First Baptist Church in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Shortly thereafter, they were blessed with three boys, Stephen, David and Daniel. Carly and Joyce were married for 68 years.

Carly went to work for the Phillips Petroleum Company and on the weekends, he and Joyce would direct the Second Baptist and then Southside Baptist Music and Youth Program for 25 years. Carly was a gifted piano player and Joyce was a highly talented singer and together they would entertain at many clubs, groups, and birthday celebrations around the country.

During their life together, they travelled throughout most of Europe to include Russian, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, parts of Africa and then journeyed further east to Turkey, China and Japan. In the Western Hemisphere they travelled to Canada, made eight trips to Mexico, six cruises to places like Alaska, and several islands in the Caribbean. When they weren't traveling the four corners of the world, they were trekking across the United States visiting almost all 50 states.

One of Carly's favorite hobbies was videotaping all of their numerous adventures and visits with families, and has thousands of hours of family video.

Carly was also a gifted writer, who has written nine western novels that are published and available on Amazon.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Joyce, his oldest son, Stephen, his parents and 8 siblings.

He leaves to cherish his memory and melodies of life, his sons David Neal Carson (wife Margaret Ann Carson), and Daniel Lee Carson (wife Deb Sullivan); three grandchildren, Drew Nathaniel Carson, Sr (wife Sabrena Carson), Carli Paige Carson and Mitchell Adam Carson (wife Nicole Carson); seven great grandchildren, Drew Carson, Jr., Jada Carson, Jazmin Carson, Isaiah Carson, Cassidy McFadden, Evan McFadden, and Zyler Carson.

A Funeral Service to celebrate the life of Carl will be held at 1:00 PM Friday April 29, 2022 at First Baptist Church of Okmulgee, 311 W. 5th Street, Okmulgee, Oklahoma with pastor Brayden Buss officiating. A visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Schaudt Okmulgee Funeral Service Chapel.

Arrangements are entrusted to Schaudt Funeral Service. Family and friends may send memories and condolences to the family online, www.schaudtfuneralservice.com.