WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Phillip Kenneth Carlson, age 54, of Three Rivers, passed away on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at Three Rivers Health. He was born on September 14, 1965, in Minneapolis, MN to Earl and Margaret (Alberts) Carlson.
Phil enlisted in the U.S. Navy after graduating from Upsala High School in 1983. He served as Electronic Warfare Systems Technician and EW Instructor. His decorations and awards during his service included, Navy Expeditionary Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy Good Conduct Medal, and National Defense Medal.
He was united in marriage to Mary Ritter on November 18, 1986 in California. They had two sons, Shane and Kyle, in their 29 years together. He retired from the Navy in 2003 and moved his family to Michigan. He earned his AAS in Electronic Instrumentation from Excelsior College in 2003. He later earned his Bachelor of Science in Electronic Engineering, Computer Science and Communications in 2011 from Western Michigan University and also a degree in Wind Energy Technology and HVAC in 2014 from Kalamazoo Valley Community College.
Phil is survived by his wife, Mary Carlson of Three Rivers; children, Shane Carlson and Kyle Carlson of Three Rivers; father, Earl Carlson of St. Paul, MN; mother-in-law, Rita Ritter of Freeport, MN and step father, Douglas MacArthur of Cherokee Village, AR. In Minnesota, he has two sisters, Kris Salava (Frank) of Chisago City, Mary Skillings (Rick) of Alexandria and brother, Mark MacArthur (Sara) of Avon; seven nieces and nephews and a step niece and step nephew; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ronald Ritter (Elaine) of Freeport, Judy Theisen (Bob) of St. Francis, Joseph Ritter (Brenda) of St. Francis, Steven Ritter of Freeport, and Linda Gertken (Brian) of Albany; fifteen nieces and nephews.
Phil was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret MacArthur, and father-in-law, Gilbert Ritter.
In accordance with family wishes cremation will be conducted and there will be memorial gatherings in Michigan and in Minnesota. Interment of cremains will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Michigan, once virus restrictions have been lifted.
Memorial donations may be directed to the Carlson Family in care of Mary Carlson. Envelopes available and may be sent to Hohner Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
