Reuben Allan Carlson of Lompoc died at the age of 87 on Friday, December 14, 2007, at Lompoc District Hospital. Reuben was born in Bark River, Michigan, on September 28, 1920, to Herman and Ellen Carlson. He was the youngest of four children.

Reuben graduated in 1939 from Escanaba High School in Michigan. He served in the military during WWII in the Army Air Corps as an airplane mechanic. On November 5, 1942 he married the love of his life, Elaine, in Charleston, South Carolina.

He moved to Lompoc in 1951. He was employed as a heavy equipment operator for 50 years. He worked at Johns-Mansville (now Celite). His special interests were camping, woodworking, building houses, playing cards (especially peanuckle), traveling, and barbecuing. His barbecuing skills are legendary at the lodges he served in, including the Lompoc Elks. Reuben was a member of the American Legion, the Eagles, and the Lompoc Elks. He was also a member of Bethany Lutheran Church.

Reuben is survived by his wife, Elaine, with whom he celebrated 65 years of marriage on November 5, 2007; his four daughters, Darlene Cantrell of Medford, Oregon, Sandy Lake of Reno, Nevada, Marie Lachner of Portland, Oregon, and Audrey Hildreth, of Lompoc, California. Reuben is also survived by a niece, Laurel Peterson, 8 grandchildren, and 14 great grandchildren.

Reuben was preceded in death by his sister, Mildred Paulson, and his brothers, Einar and Lester Carlson.

Visitation will take place on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Starbuck-Lind Mortuary.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 19, 2007, at 1:00 pm in the Chapel of Starbuck-Lind Mortuary with Rev. Jim Mackereth of Bethany Lutheran Church officiating. The burial will be held at Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery following the service.