George Carlson, beloved father, physician and longtime member of the Ardmore, Oklahoma community passed away at age 90 after a life defined by hard work, integrity and a deep appreciation for the beauty of the outside world.

George was born on August 7, 1936, in Chico, California. As a small child, he moved with his family to southern Oklahoma. He graduated from Loma Linda University School of Medicine in 1962. Following medical school, George served in the US Naval Reserve Medical Corps as a lieutenant, then went on to complete his orthopedic surgery residency at USC- Los Angeles County Medical Center in 1969. From 1969 to 1971, George served on the staff of Loma Linda University. In 1971, he moved to Ardmore, Oklahoma, where he practiced orthopedic surgery until his retirement at age 62.

Outside of medicine, George had a number of interests. He enjoyed snow skiing, especially at Winter Park, where he liked to be the first on the lift in the morning and the last to leave at the end of the day.

He also enjoyed cycling, including riding around Lake Murray with his brother Jim. On particularly hot days, he would describe the experience as “breathing fire”. George was a pilot and owned a Mooney airplane. He made many cross-country flights, to see Alaska and to visit his children. He loved seeing the topography from above. He had a particular fondness for the Grand Canyon.

Later in life, he spent considerable time on his farm, where he enjoyed the pecan harvest and worked to reestablish native prairie grasses. George enjoyed watching the sunsets from his place on the hill. When looking out over the property, he would often say, “It has never been more beautiful!”

George was especially proud of his children and his grandchildren. He is survived by his son, Greg Carlson, and Greg’s children, Seth, Aidyn, Cyrus, and Rozalyn; his son, Steve Carlson and his wife Sue Carlson, and their children Nick, Jake, and Trisha; and his daughter, Michelle Liske, and her son, Alexander Liske

Funeral services for Dr. George Carlson are scheduled for Friday, August 28th at 1:00 p.m. at the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Ardmore. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park.