Ronald O. Carlson

Ronald O. Carlson, 91, of Moline, IL, died while surrounded by family members Thursday, Jan. 25, at UnityPoint Health-Trinity Hospital in Rock Island.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, at First Congregational Church, 2201 7th Ave., Moline. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Monday at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, 6601 38th Ave., Moline. Burial will be at the National Cemetery, Rock Island Arsenal. The American Legion Post #246 will conduct military honors for the World War II Navy veteran who served on the maiden voyage of the USS Diodon submarine. Memorials may be made to Parkinson’s Research.

Ron was born Oct. 11, 1926, in Moline, the son of Oscar – a Swedish immigrant – and Olga (Kron) Carlson. He married Doris Johnson Dec. 26, 1948, in Moline. Doris preceded him in death on May 10, 2014. Ron also was preceded in death by his daughter, Janet Laub, and his parents.

Ron began working for John Deere as a tool and die maker apprentice the day after he graduated from Moline High School. He eventually worked his way up to various levels of management, retiring after 38 years as a General Supervisor at John Deere Plow Planter. He then worked in tooling sales four years before retiring for good in 1986.

Ron, known by family and friends as Rock, was a member of First Congregational Church, Moline. He was also a member of the Viking Thor Lodge #9, Moline, Elks Club, American Legion, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, and a charter member of Mill Creek Country Club. He was an avid bowler and golfer, with a hole-in-one to his credit, and in retirement loved spending winters with Doris in Gulf Shores, AL.

Most of all, he was a devoted family man. Married for 65 years, the way he cared for Doris when she was battling the degenerative effects of Parkinson’s late in her life was the model of unconditional love. As a father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he delighted in spending time with his family. It’s quite possible none of his family members ever bought him a meal, because he always insisted on picking up the check. Although he didn’t have a college degree himself, he put all five of his children through college because he believed in the value of an education.

Survivors include his brother, Curt Carlson of Carrboro, N.C., and Ron’s four sons: Cliff (Heather) Carlson, Milan, IL; Dave (Barb) Carlson, Belvidere, IL; Tom (Pam) Carlson, Park View, IA, and; Steve Carlson, Grimes, IA. Ron also had 10 grandchildren: Adam Carlson, St. Paul, MN; Jen (Eric) Deutschmann, Belvidere, IL;  Kristi (Mitch) Thompson, Poplar Grove, IL; Kim (Steve) Haywood, Fairview, TN; Jeff (Abby) Laub, Lexington, KY; Kelly (Matt) Shelton, Cedar Falls, IA; Amy (Aaron) Bartels, Davenport, IA; Samantha (Scott) Gratton, Raleigh, NC; Angie Carlson, Greenville, NC, and; Clara Carlson, Grimes, IA. He had 12 great grandchildren: Gina, Renee, Cecilia, Lucy, Hannah, Selma, Oscar, Jake, Macie, Jackson, Camden and Eli.