Final Salute

Edwin “Ed” Carlson Jr. passed away peacefully on November 2, 2022 at age 99. He was born September 10, 1923, the third child of Edwin & Alice Carlson … a third-generation Rockford family.

Ed grew up in Rockford and graduated from Rockford East High School where he was an All Big-8 Conference Basketball Center and met his future wife … Violet Nelles, an E-Rab cheerleader.

Following high school, Ed attended Bradley University where he was a star baseball pitcher and basketball player, and played against George Mikan — the NBA’s first superstar. Later, Ed played basketball for the Mount Morris Cable Colts, an AAU forerunner to the NBA.

In 1943, during World War II, Ed joined the US Navy and served three years in the Pacific theater as a Navy Seabee. He heroically fought in and survived two of the most horrific battles of the war on the islands of Tarawa and Okinawa.

In December 1945, after the war’s end, Ed returned to Rockford and married his high school sweetheart, Vie Nelles. Together they raised six children in Rockford.

Ed and his brother, Dave, ran the family business — Carlson Roofing — founded by their grandfather in 1888. During his roofing career, Ed was highly regarded throughout the roofing Industry and served as president of the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association.

Ed supported his community by serving on many boards including more than 20 years on the Rockford Boys & Girls Club and the Rockford Park District Boards … serving as president of both. During his tenure with the Park District, the Sportscore One facility, Riverview Ice House, and Rock River Bike Path were constructed, and Magic Waters was acquired.

Ed loved sports and was a founder of boys’ baseball in Rockford. He privately built five baseball diamonds for kids of all ages while organizing, sponsoring, and coaching many teams. He also contributed a park to the Rockford Park District in southwest Rockford for baseball and soccer.

Following the passing of his wife, Vie, in 2012, Ed married Virginia “Vicky” Vazquez and settled in his favorite winter haven — Acapulco, Mexico. There he supported the Salvation Army Orphanage and many of the less fortunate.

Above all, Ed was a strong Christian and a member of the Salvation Army Church. Throughout his life, he cared most about people who were in need or oppressed. Like many from our “Greatest Generation,” he was a “doer” and a positive contributor to our community and country.

Ed is survived by his very supportive and wonderful wife Vicky, her six children and their families, and his six children Kurt (Cheri), Jan (David), Brad (Ellen), Mark (Kristine), Gini (Randall), and Edwin III (Cindy), twenty grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren, as well as the hundreds of Rockford kids who are still playing baseball and soccer.

A memorial service in his honor will be held at 4:00 pm on December 3 at the Salvation Army, 500 S Rockford Ave, Rockford, IL 61104. Memorials in honor of Edwin Carlson benefiting the Salvation Army Children’s Home in Acapulco, Mexico can be mailed to “Acapulco Angels”, c/o Edwin Carlson III, 4414 Ryder Court, Loves Park, IL 61111.

Posted online on November 16, 2022