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Ralph Carlson Obituary
Ralph was born July 8, 1944 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to the late Henry Arthur Carlson and Mary Lucille (Combs) Carlson. He received his education in Bartlesville, graduating from Bartlesville College High School in 1962. In 1966, he received a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Oklahoma City University. He received his master's degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois and was Editor at Northwestern University Press until 1974, when he moved to New York City. Ralph married Nancy Grove in 1978. He had a 15-year career with Garland Publishing before starting his own company, Carlson Publishing. He worked at Oxford University Press from 2000-2004. Ralph returned to Bartlesville in 2004 to care for his mother until her death that year and had lived at the family residence in Bartlesville since then.
Ralph was a member of First United Methodist Church in Bartlesville and often attended the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bartlesville. He had been an Eagle Scout and later in life made deliveries for Meals on Wheels. Ralph loved books and reading, and went to the library almost every day. He loved going to museums, attending the OK Mozart festival and other concert events, and watching movies. Ralph also enjoyed his travels to Mexico, New Zealand and France.
Surviving are his two daughters, Laura Scott and husband Reuben of New Zealand and Julia Carlson of Brooklyn, N.Y.; his former wife Nancy Grove of Brooklyn, N.Y.; two sisters, Margaret Graham and husband Gary of Stratford, Texas, and Jean Manuel and companion J. Torres of Mesquite, Texas; and three nieces, Michelle Grayson and husband Scott, Emily Graham and husband Chance Hunter, and Sarah Graham.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 in the Sneed Chapel of the First United Methodist Church in Bartlesville with Rev. Kathryn Reese as the officiant. Interment will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery. Funeral services are under the direction of the Arnold Moore Funeral Home in Bartlesville.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Ralph Carlson
Chuck and Joseph
May 23, 2022
Never forgotten, always remembered. We miss you!
hasia diner
May 8, 2012
I was trying to find Ralph and did not know of his passing. I worked with Ralph in conjunciton with the encyclopedia of American women's history and was so impressed by his warmth, friendliness, professionalism, and competence. Please accept my thoughts. Hasia Diner
Jenny Hollingsworth
June 12, 2011
I also am one of the Russell neighbors. My Dad remembers playing some basketball with Ralph in the driveways between out houses. Way back when, I remember Jeannie and I playing some of Ralph's records and climbing up in his "club house" in the garage when he wasn't around. Recently when in Bartlesville, I've enjoyed visiting with Ralph and going to Murphys, Price Tower and OK Mozart. Your family is in my prayers.
Linda Nieman
June 8, 2011
I am sad to learn of Ralph's passing while searching for him online this evening. I enjoyed meeting up with him at conferences and in NY twenty-some years ago. Colleagues regarded his work highly, but more importantly, liked and respected Ralph as a genuinely good person. I remember him as a man of great enthusiasms, yet nothing animated him more than talking about his "girls." My condolences to your family and friends,
Ralph and sister Jeannie
Sharon Turvey
June 8, 2011
Sharon Turvey
June 7, 2011
I am one of the Russell family who lived next door to the Carlson family in Bartlesville for about 15 years. They were great neighbors and life long friends. The last time I saw Ralph wan in 2006 when my husband and I and my sister went to Bartlesville to see our old neighborhood. It was nice to visit the Carlson house and see Ralph there. We ate at Murphy's and he took us on a little tour of the town, to the Price Tower, the old Frank Phillips home, and Johnstone Park. He was a brilliant tour guide. I'm so glad we got to see him again.
John Shea
June 7, 2011
I was so sorry to hear about Ralph’s death. He was truly one of the nicest and kindest people I have worked with. Inevitably, whenever I speak with old Garland colleagues, the conversation gets around to Ralph and his infectious smile and cheerful ways. I’m sure will be well remembered by his Garland family.
June 6, 2011
Ralph was my boss at Garland Publishing for a time. He was kind
Chuck Bartelt
June 6, 2011
Ralph's love of books and cheerful enthusiasm for his work were infectious and inspirational. He will be greatly missed.
Marie Ellen Larcada
June 4, 2011
Ralph Carlson was a kind, caring friend and mentor. I am saddened by his passing, and send sincere condolences to his family. Marie Ellen Larcada
Richard Russell
May 31, 2011
I was about 12 years younger than Ralph, but lived next door to his family's house in Bartlesville. I always held a great admiration and respect for the Carlson family
Traci Reeve
May 30, 2011
A candle lit in love from Ralph's friends at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bartlesville.
PHIL FOSTER
May 30, 2011
I had several classes with Ralph duing our three years at Col-Hi. He was always a gentleman and quick to offer his assitance to his fellow classmates in need.
Larry Francis
May 29, 2011
Ralph was a dear friend who I lost track of after high school. I remeber hime taking me for a ride in his dad's new Buick when he first got his drivers licence. I am sorry I didn't know he had come back to Bartlesville. I would have loved to caught up with him. I will miss him.
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