STEWARD — Robert Ray (Bob) Carlson, 86, of Rockford, and formerly of Steward, passed away on Friday, Feb. 9, 2018 at Presence Saint Anne’s Rehabilitation Center in Rockford.
Bob was born in Big Rock Township on Feb. 6, 1932, to Jerry and Hilma (Samuelson) Carlson.  He attended Big Rock schools, where he developed a life-long passion for basketball.  Before enlisting in the Navy, Bob worked with his father, as a painter and farmed for a local farmer.
He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean war, stationed on the aircraft carrier, USS Philippine Sea, where he ran the ship’s store. He was one of seven brothers who served in the military during WWII and the Korean Conflict.  His brother, Roy, an Air Force Pilot, was shot down over the Pacific in WWII.
After military service, Bob returned to the Big Rock area, where he rejoined his dad in the painting business for a brief time.  He was a self-employed Livestock Dealer for 50 years, buying and selling livestock at sale barns, to and from local farmers and Swift Meatpacking Co. in Rochelle. One day on the way to buy cattle at a sale barn, he stopped at a farm auction south of Steward. He bought the farm and then went on his way to the auction.  He hauled the cattle he bought to Swift, then went home and told his wife to start packing because he bought a farm.  They moved from Montgomery to the farm within a month or two.
He was known as a hard worker who enjoyed playing cards, riding horses (especially his favorite, Bill Brown) and watching his son and grandsons play in a variety of sports.
Bob married Shirley (Winze) Dean in Aurora on Dec. 29, 1964.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Shirley; daughter, Marcy (Dean) Hall of Rockford; and son, Richard (Melissa) Carlson of Brentwood, Tenn.  Also surviving are three grandchildren, Caleb (Amy) Hall of Clarksville, Tenn., Kenzie and Reagan Carlson of Brentwood, Tenn.; four great-grandchildren, Rebekah, Allison, William and Shirley of Clarksville, Tenn.; brother, Kenneth Carlson of Big Rock; one sister-in-law, Effie of Aurora; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Albert, Frank, Stanley, Roy, Curt and George; sisters, Eloise Cook, Doris Rode and Betty Plapp; and grandson, Michael Robert Hall in 1998.
The family wishes to thank Bob’s caregivers, Sharon Wilkes and Teresa Dover, as well as the staffs at Rockford OSF St. Anthony Medical Center 3 East and Presence Saint Anne Center for their faithful care of Bob.
Visitation for Robert R. Carlson will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 14 at the Unger-Horner Funeral Home, 400 N. 6th St., Rochelle from 4 – 6 p.m. A private family graveside service will be held on Thursday, Feb. 15 in Big Rock.
Visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.