James Harry Carlson

1935 - 2024

Jim Carlson of North Chesterfield, VA, loved his family and friends, the camaraderie of nickel-dime poker, the Cleveland Indians, Dixieland music, dark beer with pretzels, and, of course, jokes. Meaning he knew, remembered, and prized jokes of all kinds-oldies or new, fast quips, Dad jokes, wit that was cerebral or little-kid silly. He delighted hearing from others, but you knew Jim enjoyed your company if he peppered you with jokes, because he regarded an active sense of humor as essential to living. Still, he was fiercely practical, someone who valued hard work and admired it in others, yet always ready to appreciate life's small moments as well. He made friends quickly, evoking and returning affection by a genuine interest in people's lives.

When he died at 88 on May 30, 2024, it was after a life of teaching and as well as travel, family vacations (especially Lake Hauto, PA and Cancun), camping, fishing, the outdoors, crosswords, hard-fought tennis, and closely-watched college athletics. Moving to Virginia from New Jersey in retirement, Jim continued to collect and restore antique clocks as a member of Richmond's Tri-City Watchmakers and Clockmakers Guild and the Philadelphia and Williamsburg chapters of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors.

James Harry Carlson was born in Cleveland, OH, on June 10, 1935, son of the late Harry John Carlson and Ellen Sofia Johnson Carlson. After Lincoln High School, he received a B.S. in Biology from Fenn College (now Cleveland State University) before graduate school at Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, studying Genetics and earning a Master of Science in 1960 and Ph.D. in 1963. He began teaching Genetics at Ohio State and later served three years as Assistant Professor of Genetics and Biology at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, NJ. Twenty-three years followed as Professor of Biology at Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ, teaching Genetics, Biology, Life Science, Evolution, and Bioethics, and serving twelve years as Biology Department Chair. Over the years Jim developed a keen interest in Charles Darwin, including numerous trips to Down House, Darwin's home in England, and many sites of his research in England, Scotland, and the Galapagos Islands.

Jim is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Judith Marsh Carlson, a daughter, Kristin Carlson Green (Michael Green) of Henrico, VA, a son, Jeffrey D. Carlson (Chalin Smith) of Alexandria, VA, and four Virginia grandchildren: James Mitchell Green of Arlington, Jeffrey Michael Green of Henrico, Macy Annabel Carlson and Margaret (Maggie) Anabeth Carlson of Alexandria. Also surviving are Jim's nephew, Douglas J. Carlson and niece, Michelle Carlson Stover in Hilliard, OH, and two nieces, Julie L. Marsh and Andrea C. Marsh, in Columbus, OH.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 22, 2024, at Grace and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 8 North Laurel Street, Richmond. Parking is available at VCU West Main Street Parking Deck and surrounding streets. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to SwimRVA, 5050 Ridgedale Parkway, Richmond, VA 23234, noting LEARN TO SWIM program (for underserved youth) in the memo line. More information available from adam.kennedy@swimrichmond.org.