Daily Sitka Sentinel

Carl R. Southbloom

Carl R. Southbloom

Former Sitka resident Carl R. Southbloom passed away on Jan. 9, 2017, in Centralia, Wash. He was 81. His burial will be on May 25.

He was born April 23, 1935, in Ontario Canada, where he was raised.

He was active in the Soul Winners group of the Salvation Army.  This group performed “Big Band” Christian music and produced several  musical records.

In his early 20s he moved to Detroit, Mich., where he met Florence, who became his wife for 53 years.

After enlisting in the U.S. Air Force and marrying Florence, Carl was stationed in Bermuda where he served for two years.  It was in Bermuda that he discovered a love for the game of golf.

After being discharged from the Air Force he accepted an offer from the RCA Company for a position as a telecommunications technician in Alaska. During his first 10 years in Alaska, he resided in many cities and outposts –  Cape Newenham, Sparrevohn, Tok, Anchorage, Cordova, Yakutat, Skagway. The family moved to Sitka in 1970, and  Carl spent the next 18 years enjoying his family, hunting, fishing, boating and all that Sitka had to offer.  The family’s first home was the Cable House.  Carl worked on the first floor and the family lived upstairs.  He told stories of hearing footsteps….

Carl truly loved living in Sitka and hoped to retire here but it wasn’t to be.  Alascom called him to Juneau where he did retire in 1992. By this time, both sons had moved to the lower 48 and Carl and Florence decided it was time to join them by moving to Centralia, Wash.

During his retirement years, Carl enjoyed playing golf, playing cards with his friends, and traveling the world with his youngest son.  His travel experiences include all of northern Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and many other locations.  His most recent trip was just a month ago when they traveled to Germany.

Carl and Florence decided that the Sitka National Cemetery would be their final resting place.  Florence was laid to rest there in September 2012 and Carl will join her soon.

Carl is survived by his brother Gerald (Sandy); sisters Myrna and Pam (Jim); sons  Bruce and Brian (Stephanie) along with their children Laura (Nick) Rheaume and Glenn (Stacy) Beatty and grandchildren Gage and Clara.

Carl was very active in the Salvation Army during his younger years and continued to support the organization  during his lifetime. The family suggests that those who would like to make memorial donations, consider the Salvation Army.