Paul Franklin Carlson, 90, of Birmingham, Alabama, passed away April 1, 2020. He was born March 1, 1930, at the family home on 705 Clark Street, Fort Scott, Kansas, and was the third of seven children.

He was preceded in death by his parents Arthur F. and Lorena M. (Ballou) Carlson, sister Mildred L. (Carlson) Askew, brothers Norman R. Carlson, Larry D. Carlson, and daughter Paula Jo (Carlson) Gearity.

He is survived by his best friend and wife Rebecca Peters-Carlson, two granddaughters Christine Gearity and Kathy Gearity, and one great-granddaughter Katarina; brothers Ralph J. (Saundra) Carlson, Donald J. (Mim) Carlson, and Gerald L. (Donna) Carlson, 16 nieces and nephews, and numerous great and great great nieces and nephews.

Paul attended Eugene Ware School, Fort Scott; Gravette Holiness Bible School, Gravette, Arkansas; and graduated from Mt. Zion Bible School, Ava, Missouri, in 1948.

Based in San Diego, California, Paul proudly served his country for four years in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. Paul was a lifetime member of the NRA.

In 1959, he moved to Birmingham, Alabama where he remained until the time of his death. Paul received a commendation from the Governor of Alabama for his dedication and good work for 20 years as photographer for the state organization NAMI-Alabama (National Alliance on Mental Illness-Alabama).

Paul joyfully served Christ Jesus as his Savior and Lord for many years. He was an ordained Christian minister, preaching and distributing countless Bibles and other Christian writings to people across the United States.

The service is open to the public.

The family will conduct the memorial service at 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 2, 2021, at the Fort Scott National Cemetery with full military honors following.

Memorials are suggested to Jailhouse Rock Ministries, Inc., P O Box 880, Stockton, MO 65785.