Donald E. Carlson, 97, of Arkansas City, KS passed away peacefully on April 3, 2025, at his home.

Cremation will take place and private family services will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to the St. Labre Indian School in Ashland, Montana, and left in the care of the Shelley Family Funeral Home of Arkansas City.

Donald was born on July 19, 1927, in Arkansas City, KS to parents Frank and Mae (Wilson) Carlson. He went to Oak Grove High School. During WWII Donald enlisted into the US Army in 1944 in Houston, TX and was discharged at Stockton, CA in 1947. While living in Stillwater, OK he had a career as a maintenance mechanic at OSU for 15 years, retiring in June 1991. He was united in marriage to Jean S. Stone, in Arkansas City on September 15, 1993. He was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the Assembly of God Church in Newkirk, OK, and he enjoyed welding, tinkering, making flower beds and caring for any animal that arrived at his home.

Surviving family members are his children, Lynn Carlson, Paul Carlson, Kenneth Lucas (Cindy) of Goffstown, NH; Richard Lucas (Margo) of Concord, NH; and Wendy Stockhausen (Neal) of Summerville, SC; his 8 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, 2 great, great grandchildren and his three cats, Angel, Annie and Clementine, whom he affectionately referred to as "my children".

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his brother Harold H. Carlson and his son, Montie Tabor.