Donald Boyd Carlson, Sr., 76, of Merryville died Thursday, Aug.17, 2023.
He. was born on in Tarboro, N.C. He joined the U.S. Navy after completing high school and during his time in the U. S. Navy, he met the love of his life, Judy Spence Carlson. When his term in the Navy was complete, he began his career in the papermaking industry at Champion Paper in Roanoke Rapides, N.C.
In 1969, he relocated to DeRidder, where he became part of the startup team for Boise Southern, now known as PCA. He retired in 2014, after forty-five years of service and was one of the last remaining operators that were present when the DeRidder mill staked its roots in Beauregard Parish. He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church and served on the Vestry.
He is survived by his wife, Judy Carlson of Merryville; sister, Mary Lou Phelps of Thomasville, N.C.; sons, Donald Carlson, Jr. of Singer, and Anthony Carlson of Rosepine; six grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Marie and Thomas Carlson of Roanoke Rapides, N.C. and one brother.
Funeral service was held at Trinity Episcopal Church in DeRidder. Father James Lueckenhoff officiated the service. Burial followed at Beauregard Cemetery in DeRidder under the direction of Myers-Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder.
