Ronald "Ron" Richard Carlson, 68, of Pensacola, FL passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 29, 2019 after a courageous battle with stage 4 melanoma. One of his favorite quotes was from Winston Churchill, "Never give in" and he lived and died by that quote. He was surrounded by family while listening to letters written by his father during WWII.

He was born in Boston, MA but grew up in Lighthouse Point, FL. He joined the Army and learned how to fly helicopters. He also made lifelong friends there who meant the world to him.

After the Army he moved to Hawaii where he met his wife. On January 17, 1982 the plane he was flying had mechanical failure. He used his training to ditch the plane as safely as possible. While doing this, he thought, "I'm going to die, I better pay attention, so I remember what it feels like."

After surviving the plane crash, he moved to Alaska where he said, "I consider the last 30 years of my life "gravy" and enjoy every minute of it."

Ron did enjoy every minute of it. He spent 30 years in Alaska, started a family, traveled to weddings, visited friends, bought a sailboat, and spent a lot of time on the water. He was a woodworker and built things as gifts or for around the house. He even traveled to Ireland and met cousins who turned into good friends.

He eventually moved to Florida when he retired from flying in Alaska.

He was a good friend, a good husband, a good brother, but he was the best dad and he will be greatly missed.

Ron is preceded in death by his father, Ronald I. Carlson and his mother, Maureen P. Carlson.

He is survived by his wife, Debby Carlson of Pensacola, FL; daughter, Sarah Carlson of Pensacola, FL; aunt and uncle, Annette & Bob Tucker of Port Orange, FL; aunt, Dixie Carlson (Uncle Stan, deceased) of Junction City, KY; brother, Rick Carlson (Sandy) of Pensacola, FL; sisters, Jan Hussle (Mike) of Marriottsville, MD, Karen Ross (Fred) of Lake Worth, FL and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held 4-6pm, Wednesday, January 8, 2020 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 9:30am, Thursday, January 9, 2020 at St. Paul Catholic Church with Fr. Jack Campbell celebrant. Interment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery.

Honorary pallbearer will be Herb Harris.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Gary Sinise Foundation, P. O. Box 368 Woodland Hills, CA 91365.

Special thanks to Herb and Teri, for taking care of Finn and for always being there for my dad every day. Your friendship throughout the years and in the last moments of his life will forever be treasured.