Birth date: Aug 1, 1974 Death date: Nov 5, 2012
Paul John Carlson II 38, of Umatilla, passed away on November 5, 2012. He was born in Leesburg and was a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church of Eustis. He is survived by his parents Tom and Gail Carlson of Umatilla, his siblings Read Obituary
Hi Paul,We've not seen each other since high school and I wish that weren't true. I moved away and life went on. You were a good friend and I'll never forget you.Love,Eugene##imported-begin##Eugene Kidwell##imported-end##
This seems to be such a sudden and unexpected event - he was so young ! I can't pretend to know what it is like to lose a child, but know that I'm thinking of you and family and including you in my prayers. God be with you all.Janet##imported-begin##Janet Carlson##imported-end##
I met Paul and Mark at Kanuga in what must have been the late 80s or early 90s. I have a lot of really great memories of these two- I loved their famous trick of being able to put dental floss up their nose and have it come out their mouths. They had so many stories about their family and all their brothers and sisters. There was one story about a fourth of july accident, which somehow, in the way Paul told it to me, was funny- even given the serious nature of it. I always think of it on Fourth of July. So many stories about all the siblings and parents and trips to Alaska. My family didn't have that kind of dynamic, and I always admired how close you all seemed to be. Paul was the first person to ever tell me about people having their babies at home, and this, among many other ideas I had never heard of were, and still are, a huge influence on me. Paul opened my mind to so many things. We wrote countless letters to each other- all of which I still have- and we shared a lot of teen angst and music tastes together. Paul was always encouraging to me- he encouraged me to do photography and bought me my first real camera. All of his letters always had some kind of drawing on the envelope, or a quote from Nirvana or some other music we liked then. Hearing the news this week has been unreal- it has been years since we were in touch, but I really feel like the time we had together was so recent-all so vivid in my mind. Im so grateful for the time we did have. I miss Paul in a new way now, and I am crushed that Mark has to go on without him. Very special twins, these two. Very, very special. Much love and light to all the Carlsons- peace to all of you.##imported-begin##janet wright shepherd##imported-end##
Dear Tom, Gail, Mark, Leigh, Jane, Matt and Luke,The tragic news of Paul’s untimely death has reached my home in Nairobi, Kenya. It was devastating news to receive so far away from friends, family and all things familiar. I wish I could be packed up and sent via express mail so I could be there for the funeral. Alas, they do not ship humans and sorting out a suitable flight has deemed impossible.I have not seen Paul for a long time. That does not mean I have stopped thinking of him or of all of you. After all these years, Paul and the Carlson family still hold a special place in my heart and you always will.Mr and Mrs Carlson, I have a confession to make. Most of the detentions Paul got in the 9th/10th grade were my fault. We would sneak kisses in the Eustis High School hallways. This would cause Paul to be late for his class and sometimes we even got caught but for whatever reason he was the only one who ever got in trouble, never me.Paul had the biggest heart. We kept in contact via email for many years and once he called me out of the blue when I lived in Eritrea (2003). That call was such a pleasant surprise! For the past few days, I have poured over our email exchanges. Even in the most difficult times, he would spread the love. In several emails he talked about the joy of living with his grandmother and in others he would share his art. In our very last exchange, which sadly was many years ago, he was very reminiscent of our high school days. I don’t know what triggered him to write that email but it meant a lot to me. Like Paul expressed in his email, I am too so very grateful for all of our great memories and I will forever cherish them. Speaking of memories, “What would you do for a Klondike bar?†I cannot recall the context in which the phrase was uttered but I do remember the reactions when I naively asked “what is a Klondike bar?†I thought it was a serious question; I did not know it was a jingle/slogan. This became a running joke, and me being the butt of it. Paul once brought me a Klondike bar as a present and he always promised there would be one waiting for me if I came to visit. I need to hit the Nairobi shops and see if I can find a Klondike bar so I can eat it in honor of Paul.I wish I could be there in person today. I will be thinking of you, sending strong positive vibes and long hard virtual hugs.Kahlil Gibran said "When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight." Paul was more than a delight and he will be truly, deeply missed.With love and deepest sympathy,Marlene##imported-begin##Marlene##imported-end##
My prayers are with the Carlson family. I can not imagine loosing my twin. My heart is with you, Mark. We are praying for God's peace and comfort in your time of grief.##imported-begin##Koren Obispo##imported-end##
I remember growing up with the Carlsons, as much a part of their family as they were of mine. I regret losing touch over the years but the memories remain. Paul, thank you for everything and we'll meet again. The Smallwood Family's prayers and thoughts go out to all of the Carlsons and the people that Paul touched over the years.##imported-begin##Shane Smallwood##imported-end##
Tom, Gail & family, my heart goes out to you. Your loss is immesurable. May God hold you close and give you peace.##imported-begin##Rachel Holtzclaw##imported-end##
I am so terribly sorry about your loss. The news shook the St Thomas family. All our prayers are with your family. I pray the Lord will fill your hearts with his love to help you cope with the loss of your loved one. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with your family Fondly, Connie Wilhelm##imported-begin##Connie Wilhelm##imported-end##
Loce you man! I wish we could have spent more time together. I believe we'll see each other again. Until then the memories will keep me comfort.##imported-begin##Joseph Folgore##imported-end##
