of North Little Rock, AR
August 5, 1940 - February 29, 2020
SMSGT John Franklin Karolson, (USAF, RET), 79, of North Little Rock passed away on Saturday, February 29, 2020 after a long, courageous battle. He was born Janek Karoliszyn on August 5, 1940, in Deensen, Germany to his late father, Ignacy Karoliszyn and mother, Kunegunda Sternal Karoliszyn. Just months prior to his birth, in January, 1940, his family, including three small children, was forced to leave their home in Ludwikowka, Poland due to Nazi invasion, journey to Germany by train in a cattle car and forced to work in labor camps. For the next 10 years his family would move from one D.P. (Displaced People) camp to another. His childhood memories were of the raining down of WWII bombs near their camps and the skies black with airplanes. His fondest memories of that time were of the American G.I.'s stationed in Germany that would drive by in their jeeps and give them candy.
In December 1950, at age 10, his family, now with seven children, was sponsored by the Polish Alliance of Brooklyn USA which enabled them to tralvel to the United States and begin a new life. They settled in Plainville, CT where John graduated in 1959. On February 29, 1960, because of his love of airplanes and the memories of the American G.I.'s, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. John was stationed at Spangdahlem AFB Germany, Nellis AFB Las Vegas, Korat AFB Thailand (at which time he changed his name to Karolson), Wright Patterson AFB Dayton OH, Hickam AFB Pearl Harbor HI and Little Rock AFB where he retired in 1986 with over 26 years of service as an Automatic Flight Control/Avionics Instrument Systems Superintendent.
After retirement he wanted to own his own business and began a new adventure in real estate rentals. At the peak of his rental career he owned and managed 51 units.
John's passions included playing tennis, competing in marathons, triathlons, running club and biking events well into his 70's. He could also be found at the M.A.R.C.s club field flying model airplanes until his health no longer permitted. John was also an avid reader and enjoyed any and all WWII, American History and political history books.
John was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Sylvia Grievsdorf; and brother, Eugene Karoliszyn.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Vicki; sons, John Fitzgiven, Keith M Nelson (Haley), Steven Nelson; daughter, Michelle Mahoney (Jackie); bonus daughter, Tracie Burt; brothers, Henry Karoliszyn, Zygmunt "Stas" Karoliszyn (Judy); sisters, Jessica Hunt (Dale), Ursula Von Rydingsvard, Christine El Guebaly (Sammy); grandchildren: Alex Grievsdorf (Tracy), Abigail and Gavin Mahoney, Keith G and Lillian Nelson and Christian Mangold; mother-in-law, Barbara Nelson; sisters-in-law, Terri Clark and Carolyn Morris; brother-in-law, Bryan Nelson (Tess) and many nieces, nephews and friends.
A celebration of John's life will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, March 8, 2020 at Levy Church of Christ, 5124 Camp Robinson Road, North Little Rock, AR 72118. Burial will follow on Sunday, March 15, 2020 in Clarinda, Iowa.