Gordon Brooks Carlton

Gordon Brooks Carlton, known to his family as ‘Joe’, died on August 15, 2024 at the age of 84 following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on January 22, 1940 to Paul and Rose Carlton. He graduated from Humboldt High School in St. Paul in 1958 and received a full scholarship to the University of Minnesota’s School of Business Administration, graduating in 1962. 

After college, Gordon enlisted with the US Army. He spent three years on active duty, including an 18 month deployment in Sinop, Turkey. After returning from Turkey he served another three years in the US Army reserves until being honorably discharged in 1968.

 In 1965, Gordon began a 19 year career with St. Paul Companies, and in 1985 he transitioned to the public sector and began working for the State of Minnesota, serving the Department of Human Services for 20 years until his retirement in 2005. 

Gordon had many passions, and despite moving to Colorado to be with family during his 80th year, much of his heart remained in Minnesota. He loved his garden, Itasca State Park, and above all else had a passion for the Minnesota State Fair. He was a committed volunteer for his son’s schools and, following his retirement, the Science Museum of Minnesota, Park Square Theater, and the Minnesota History Theater. 

His friends and family will remember him for his omnipresent smile and sense of humor, his skill as a gardener, and his pride as a father. Gordon is survived by Sandra, his wife of 37 years, his son Philip, and the extended families of his siblings. 

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Rose, his grandparents, and his aunt Edith. He was the youngest of seven siblings who also preceded him in death: his brothers George, Raymond, Robert, James, Clayton and Walter, and his sister Audrey Smith. He will be kindly remembered by the people who cared for him at La Villa Grande Care Center and Hope West Hospice. Gordon will be interned with honors at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado November 15th, 2024 at 3:00 PM.