Donald "Don" Carlson, 82, of Valencia, Calif., passed away on Monday, Nov. 4, 2013, at Henry Mayo Hospital in Santa Clarita, Calif. His loving family was at his side. He was born on Jan. 15, 1931, to Ivan and Alice (Kosbab) Carlson in Escanaba, Mich.

Don attended schools in Escanaba, graduating Escanaba High School in 1949. After working in Chicago for almost two years, he was appointed to Kingspoint Merchant Marine Academy in Great Neck, N.Y., graduating with honors in February of 1955. He played football both at Escanaba and at the Academy. Upon graduation he served in the U.S. Navy for two years as a lieutenant aboard a minesweeper. After his tour of duty was over he took a sales position with Riker Laboratories, a subsidiary of 3M, working his way up to Director of Institutional Sales for the United States.

He married Margaret (Peggy Dwyer) of Escanaba on Aug. 22, 1953, and together they raised five children. During his working years they lived in California, Colorado and Minnesota.

Dan is survived by his wife, Peggy; daughters, Faye, Nancy and Carol, all of California; and sons, Dan who resides in Colorado, and Randy in California; 10 grandchildren and and several great grandchildren.

He is also survived by his brothers, Bruce of Escanaba, Jack of Crivitz, and Dennis of Benton Harbor, Mich.; sisters Barbara Douglas of Escanaba and Cindy (Bill) Menard of Sault Ste. Marie; and sister-in-law Donna Carlson of Visalia, Calif.; as well as many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service is to be held at a later date at the family's home. Memorials may be directed to the Eskymo Fan Club.

Published in the Daily Press of Escanaba, Mich.