Carlton Lunsford

Carlton "Carl" Altus Lunsford October 12, 1934 - August 5, 2025

Carl Lunsford passed peacefully on August 5, 2025, surrounded by love, after a long, vibrant life filled with music, curiosity, humor, and adventure.

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Carlton Altus Lunsford Sr. and Margaret Lucille Payne, Carl spent his early childhood moving throughout the South due to his father's work with the Office of Price Administration. The family eventually settled in Georgia, but Carl's independent spirit and boundless curiosity soon led him into a life as colorful as it was uncommon.

He studied at the University of Cincinnati, Colgate University, and Columbia University before settling in New York City, where he made his living as a banjo player. Immersed in the city's vibrant jazz scene, Carl had the rare honor of performing with legends like Willie "The Lion" Smith and Eubie Blake - who later visited Carl at his Sausalito houseboat.

He performed in the Broadway pit orchestra for The Boyfriend and appeared in the off-Broadway play Look Charlie with Shel Silverstein. A highlight of his career was playing at the White House for President Lyndon B. Johnson, alongside Mahalia Jackson and Robert Goulet.

In 1972, Carl moved to Sausalito, California, where he anchored out near the heliport before becoming one of the first two residents of his dock in 1974 - alongside friend Jack Weiss. He remained a beloved part of the houseboat community for over 50 years.

In 1986, Carl met Donna - the love of his life - and they were married within a year. Together they shared a joyful life filled with music, travel, friendship, great food, and community.

Carl became a vibrant part of the San Francisco jazz scene, playing at Earthquake McGoons with the Turk Murphy Jazz Band and later touring internationally with Turk's band. After Turk's passing, he performed for many years with Marin's Natural Gas Jazz Band. He also formed a longtime duo with pianist and close friend Pete Clute, charming audiences as "Just the Two of Us," and was a fixture at the Gold Dust Lounge. A proud member of the musicians' union, Carl lived and breathed jazz.

Beyond the music, Carl's passions were wide-ranging. He earned his pilot's license at just 16, loved flying small planes, had a lifelong love for fast sports cars and racing, and even worked as a licensed field investigator for MUFON (Mutual UFO Network). He was a man of intellect, proudly reminding everyone of his "high IQ," and his playful, feisty spirit was matched by a love for cats, cooking (as the self-proclaimed "King of the Kitchen"), and good-natured mischief.

Carl is survived by his beloved wife Donna; his children Mike, Tony, and Christine; his stepdaughter Carrie; and five grandchildren: Nicholas, Kiana, Jack, Lila, and Eamon.

Christine entered Carl's life just four years ago - a beautiful and unexpected gift. Along with her husband Kevin and their children, she was embraced with open arms. Her presence brought joy, healing, and a sense of completeness to Carl's later years.

Carl was preceded in death by his cherished brother Tom, his beloved sister Nancy Biscevic, and his niece Camilla and his nephews Carlton, Johnny, and Richard. He will be missed by his life long friends Cedric and Jan Clute, Jack Worley and Zack Cohn.

Carl Lunsford lived with rhythm, wit, and fierce individuality - a life full of banjo strings, fast engines, late-night jazz, and deep love. His story will live on in the music he made, the lives he touched, and the family and friends who carry his spirit forward.