Dr. Rodney L. Carlson

COOKEVILLE CHAPEL - Dr. Rodney L Carlson of Cookeville passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 20, 2025 at the age of 85.

Rodney was born in Philipsburg, PA on October 12, 1940 as the only child to Gunnard and Dorothy Carlson. He graduated from Penn State University in 1962 with a degree in Civil Engineering and worked in the steel industry until 1964 at which time he returned to school. He received his MBA from Auburn University in 1966 and was an instructor of Economics and Statistics until 1971. In 1976, Rodney received his Ph.D. from Louisiana State University where he was an Assistant Professor of Quantitative Methods until 1979. In 1979, he moved to Cookeville, TN to become a Professor of Decision Sciences at Tennessee Technological University until his retirement in 2006. During his education, he was inducted into several honors societies including Chi Epsilon, Sigma Tau, and Phi Kappa Phi. At Tennessee Tech, he was active on campus serving on many committees and was the advisor to the Beta Gamma Sigma Honors Society from 1990 - 2004. He enjoyed teaching, his students, and getting to know many of his fellow professors and administrators that became his best friends. He was known to lead the lunch table discussions and always volunteer to host gatherings at his home.

Rodney was a devoted father and an avid sports fan. He loved to play softball, to water ski, and became an avid cyclist. You could always find him working in his yard until late in the day. He was generous with his time, money and loved to spoil his grandchildren. He was a Christian and he expressed that faith through his many handwritten letters to family. Getting a “Rodney Letter” was a very special gift. He will be deeply missed by his friends, family, and all who knew him.

Rodney is survived by his children, Kristen (Ken) Wiggins of Cookeville, TN and Kris (Carmen) Carlson of Monroe, NC and his four grandchildren, Anna Wiggins, Asher Wiggins, Kristofer Carlson, and Konner Carlson.

He is predeceased by his father, Gunnard Carlson and mother, Dorothy Carlson.

A Celebration of Life for Rodney L Carlson is scheduled for Sunday, December 7th at the home of Ken and Kristen Wiggins from 2 to 5pm. Their home is located at 534 East Broad Street, Cookeville. Convenient parking is located across East Broad Street in the city parking lot. Internment will be at the Crown Crest Cemetery in Clearfield, PA at a later date.

Donations can be made in Rodney’s name to the Cookeville Rescue Mission at https:// cookevillerescuemission.org/ or the Helping Hands Ministry at https://www.pchelpinghands.org/

Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111. You may share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.