Alfred Martin Carlsen, Iii

Mr. Alfred Martin Carlsen, III, age 66, died on September 28, 2004 of heart failure at DeKalb Medical Center. The memorial service for Mr. Carlsen will be at the First Baptist Church of Decatur, October 1, at 2:00pm with the Reverend Dr. Gary E. Parker officiating. Alfred Martin Carlsen was born at St. Joseph's Hospital on February 21, 1938. Alfred was a graduate of Decatur High School and the Georgia Institute of Technology. He was also a member of the Georgia Air National Guard 116th Fighter Wing. In 1959, he married his high school sweetheart, Judith Rutland, and they were married for 38 years before her death from pancreatic cancer in 1997. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Decatur for 37 years and has served in many areas of the church. These include as a deacon, Sunday School Teacher, most recently with the young married department, Finance Council, Mission Committee, Church Growth, Renovation Committee and Sunday School Leadership Committee. It is through Alfred's strong commitment of faith and positive attitude of life that has helped him survive many trials in his life, most notable a 1971 plane crash in Lamar Colorado. Alfred was the sole surviving member of a private hunting party. After his first wife's death, Alfred married Sherril Williams of Decatur who died in 2003 and befriended her two sons. Mr. Carlsen was predeceased in life by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Carlsen; and his brother, Stephen Malone Richards. He is survived by his daughter, Page Carlsen Cox and her husband, David of Atlanta; and his sons, Alfred M. Carlsen, IV of Tampa, Florida, Calvin T. Carlsen and his wife, Christine of Fairfax, Virginia, and Stephen M. Carlsen and his wife Lynn of Bradenton, Florida; seven grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Decatur, 308 Clairemont Avenue, Decatur, Georgia 30030. The family will receive friends Thursday, September 30 from 6:00-8:00 pm at A.S. Turner & Sons.