Gerald Bruce Carlson

Gerald Bruce Carlson entered Heaven on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, in Sebring, Florida, at the age of 82. Visitation for family and friends will be at 1:00 P.M. The service follows at 2:00 P.M. at Maranatha Baptist Church in Sebring on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, Dr. Jerry Webber officiating. Gerry was the son of George John and Evelyn Mae (Leir) Carlson. He was born on August 17, 1941, in Chicago, IL where his father was pastor of Marquette Manor Baptist Church. Gerry trusted Christ as his personal Savior at the age of eight. Following the death of his father in an airplane crash while on a hunting trip in 1957, Gerry surrendered to the ministry. He graduated from Lindblom High School in 1959, and attended Pillsbury Baptist Bible College in Owatonna, MN, graduating in 1963 with a BA in Bible and Pastorology. In 1967 he earned the M.Div. from Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Minneapolis.

In 1983, he was conferred with the Doctor of Divinity by Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Watertown, WI. During college years, Gerry served as a youth leader at Fourth Baptist Church in Minneapolis. In 1960, on a church camping trip to Wyoming with the youth group, he met his future wife, Connie. After four years of dating, he finally married Connie, the love of his life, on June 26, 1965; after she graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Elementary Education. From 1966-1970 Gerry served as youth pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Normal, IL. In 1970 he was called to the pastorate of Faith Baptist Church in St.Paul, MN. In 1970 the Carlson family returned to Normal, where he served as Field Director of the American Association of Christian Schools. In 1985, they relocated to Fairfax, VA, where he served as Executive Director of AACS. From 1988-1994 he was Vice President of Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Watertown, WI. After serving as President of Pillsbury Baptist Bible College in Owatonna, MN (1994-1995), he joined the staff of Positive Action for Christ in Rocky Mount, NC, serving as Director of Marketing and Development from 1996-2014. In 2014, Gerry and Connie retired to Sebring, FL as residents of Maranatha Village, where Gerry served as the Director of Marketing and Development from 2016-2023. Among the many interests, he enjoyed reading, writing, biking, camping, and traveling.

Gerry is survived by his loving wife Connie of 58 years and his devoted children – Kirk Carlson of Madison, WI; Chad Carlson (Stefanie) of Madison, WI; Kristin Carlson Walker (Brian) of Chattanooga, TN; sisters – Gail Fosmark (Paul) of NC; Cheryl Turbett (Dwight) of Sebring; Priscilla Robinson (Rich) also of Sebring. Also surviving are 4 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents .

Arrangements entrusted to:
Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home
4001 Sebring Parkway
Sebring, FL 33870
Online condolences may be left at:
www.stephensonnelsonfh.com