Bruce Donald Carlson, 67, of Glynn Road, East Brady passed away Wednesday shortly after his arrival at Butler Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Carlson was born in Warren on April 24, 1945. He was the son of Donald and Iva Johnson Carlson.

Bruce was a 1963 graduate of Warren High School. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam era, having served his country from 1963 to 1970. Bruce served aboard the USS Chicago and at the U.S. Naval Base at Point Loma in San Diego. After an honorable discharge, Bruce moved back to Sugarcreek Township and worked for Koppers Co. for more than 30 years, retiring as a machinist in 2002.

Bruce was a life member of the Sugarcreek Volunteer Fire Department. He was a longtime member of the Sherrett United Methodist Church. He was a well-known drag racing enthusiast and owned and operated his own race car, known as “The Bottomless Pit.” He enjoyed golfing and spending time with his grandsons.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth “Betty” Boltz Carlson, who he married at the Sherrett United Methodist Church on Oct. 10, 1964. Also surviving are two sons, Michael A. Carlson and his wife, Beth, of Baden and Mark D. Carlson and his wife, Mary Ann, of East Brady; three grandsons, Peyton, Logan and Spencer Carlson; two sisters, Jean Nollinger and her husband, Earl, of Mercer and Donna Howard and her husband, Greg, of Hampstead, N.C.; a brother, David Carlson and his wife, Roberta, of Leominster, Mass.; as well as a brother-in-law, two sisters-in-law and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Meade and Margaret McNutt Boltz.

CARLSON — Friends of Bruce Donald Carlson, who passed away Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, will be received at Hile Funeral Home of Chicora, 339 Chicora Fenelton Road, Chicora, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday. A funeral service will follow at the funeral home at 11 a.m. Saturday with the Rev. Sherry J. Mosley, pastor of the Sherrett United Methodist Church, officiating.Military honors by the Chicora and Bradys Bend American Legion and the Chicora VFW will be accorded at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery, Chicora.Members of the Sugarcreek Fire Department will conduct a memorial service at 7:45 p.m. today.Contributions in Mr. Carlson's memory may be made to the Sherrett United Methodist Church, 640 Sherrett Road, Cowansville, PA 16218. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.hilefh.com.