Obituary

Richard (Rick) Carlson passed away peacefully on 03/03/23.  Rick was born in Montclair, NJ to Carl “Allen” and Betty Carlson.  Rick had two children (Patrick & Kelly) with former spouse Terry and became a stepfather to two children with wife Susan (Tara & Bryan).  Rick was a loving son, brother, father, stepfather, grandfather of 8, uncle, son-in-law and brother-in-law.  Rick attended Scottsdale Navajo Elementary, Scottsdale High School and Arizona State University. As a young boy, Rick grew up in Verona, NJ.  He and his family came to Arizona around 1960.

Rick started a long banking career at the Valley National Bank of AZ in 1969 and held various managerial positions.  Rick ended his banking career in 1998 at Bank One as a Senior Vice President and Executive Director and retired after 29 years in banking.  After which he owned/operated a decorative glass business (closed during the economic downturn) and then worked at the Earnhardt Honda dealership in Avondale. He made many friends during his work career and appreciated every one of them.

Rick is survived by his wife of 35 years, Susan; children Patrick, Kelly, Tara and Bryan; grandchildren Samantha, Phoenix, Ava, Vincent, Vivian, Lilly, Natalie and Hayden.  He was preceded in death by his parents Allen and Betty, brothers Dave and Jeff, sisters Debbie and Cynthia.  Other close Carlson/Shepard relatives include Grandmother Wilma Shepard, Uncle Ken Shepard, Aunt Edith (Carlson) Schmied & Uncle Orville Schmied, Uncle Arthur Carlson and Aunt Ginnie Carlson, Aunt Louise (Carlson) Pearson & Uncle Paul Pearson and other family members.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the American Lung Association or Faith Hospice of Arizona.

A memorial service will be held at 3:30PM, Sunday, March 26 at Thompson Funeral Chapel.