James Robert "Bob" Carlton

On July 20, 2025, as a result of a multi-car accident in Nashville, TN, James Robert "Bob" Carlton passed away at Vanderbilt Hospital at the age of 82.

Bob "Happy" Carlton was born in South Pittsburg, TN, the son of James Leonard Carlton and Elma Lee Swindell Carlton. Bob was a proud member of the Tennessee National Guard, where he served 6 years.

Bob moved to Nashville in 1960 to attend David Lipscomb College, where he graduated with a B.A. degree in Sociology and a minor in Psychology. Bob began work for Castner Knott's in downtown Nashville in 1965, where he met his wife, Anne Porter Carlton while working on the College Board at Castner's. In the years following, he worked in radio sales including WENO, Kix 104, WMAK and others. After radio, he changed his career to advertising at DDS & D Advertising firm, then continued as Head of Advertising at Robert J. Young for 13 years. Bob ended his career in sales at The Tennessean, where he took pride in helping his co-workers through tough times. Bob loved to travel with his beloved Anne, sharing trips to Israel, Egypt, Rome, Venice, Hawaii and Alaska. They loved live theater in NYC, attending shows like Phantom of the Opera, Spamalot, Greater Tuna, Les Miserable and Billy Elliott. Bob loved God, the Bible, his family, home, reading, Civil War history, photography and working in the yard. He loved music, including Southern Gospel, Jason Crabb, and The Gaithers, or any good music. He especially loved Christ Church, and was proud to have served as an usher for many years.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, James Leonard Carlton and Elma Lee Swindell Carlton.

Bob is survived by his cherished wife of fifty six years, Anne Porter Carlton; his daughter, Carol (Tim) Cox of Soddy Daisy, TN ; sister, Sue Medeiros of Carrollton, GA; grandchildren, Catie and Craig Cox; in addition to his niece, nephew and in-laws of Cincinnati, OH.

Services to honor Bob will be on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Christ Church Nashville, Wallace Chapel. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with burial immediately following the service at Christ Church Memorial Gardens.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Woodbine Funeral Home-Hickory Chapel, 5852 Nolensville Road, Nashville, TN 37211.