Sergeant First Class Kelly J. Carlson was born on 17 November 1943 in Providence, RI. He enlisted in Company C, 5/20 SF Gp, RIARNG on 19 July 1967 after graduating from Providence College. He completed initial entry training, to include the Basic Airborne Course, in 1968. He was an 11B4S. From 1979 until 1985, he was assigned to the RIARNG Marksmanship Training Unit as a Marksmanship Coordinator.
Kelly had a distinguished career in the insurance industry, retiring as a senior executive from Phoenix Home Life. Kelly turned a lifelong hobby of knife making into a second career. He hand-crafted hundreds of decorative collector’s knives sold the world over under the name Carlson Knives.
He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on August 18, 2010 at age 66. He was survived by his wife of 42 years, Paula, three sons: Kelly Jr., Morgan and Damian and his granddaughter Hollis.
