Obituary – Arnold Dennis Carlson

Published 2:38 pm Monday, March 10, 2025

Arnold Dennis Carlson, beloved pastor of the Fort Deposit Methodist Church for more than twenty years, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, Feb. 20 at Pine Needle Assisted Living in Greenville.

A Memorial Service was held on Sunday, March 9, beginning at 2 p.m. at the Fort Deposit Methodist Church.

He was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 14, 1937, the oldest child of the late Elsie and Arnold Carlson.

He attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, but after a short time changed his life’s direction and enrolled in Concordia Lutheran Seminary in Springfield, Illinois. He completed his course of study in May 1964 and was ordained at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Walled Lake, Michigan in June of that year.

Reverend Carlson served Lutheran Churches in Hurley, South Dakota; Lockport, New York; Irvin, Pennsylvania and North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania for many years.

As the result of a change in his heart with directions from the Lord, Rev. Carlson moved his family to Mobile and for several years held positions in financial institutions. During this time, he felt the Lord guiding his faith and moving him into the Methodist faith.

Following his heart and his assurance of the Lord’s guidance, he enrolled in the Emory University Candler School of Theology. After a five-year course of study, he was awarded his completion certificate in April 1994. In making the presentation the Director of the Emory course said, “I hope your ministry will be filled with many wonderful surprises. May God bless you.”

In 1995 he was ordained into the Methodist Ministry of the Alabama West Florida Conference. His first appointment was the Chatom UMC.

He received his first appointment to the Fort Deposit Methodist in June 1997 after which he received appointments to the Dexter Avenue Methodist Church in Montgomery, the Linden Methodist and then back to Fort Deposit where he remained until and past his required retirement at age 70. 

During his time in Fort Deposit, he also pastored the Oak Grove Church which closed several years past.

Rev. Carlson was preceded in death by his wife, Diane Lynn Carlson; his parents, Elsie and Arnold Carlson; one son, Kevin Carlson; one sister, Charlene Crew of Novi, Michigan; one brother, John Carlson of White Lake, Michigan and two stepsons.

He is survived by his daughter, Karin Bongiorno and husband, Nino, of New Orleans, Louisiana; one son, Keith Carlson and wife, Cherokee, of The Woodlands, Texas; three grandchildren, Giuseppe Bongiorno, Garrett Carlson and Ashley Carlson; one sister, Judy (Tom) Abend of Benson, Arizona; one brother, Robert (Brenda) Carlson of Chesterfield, Michigan and several nieces and nephews.

For online condolences, please visit www.dunklinfh.com.