Carl John Axelson, Jr., age 77, passed away peacefully in his sleep after a long battle with dementia in Ft. Worth on May 16, 2024.

Carl was born in Clairton, PA to Carl and Ellen Axelson, the youngest of four siblings (all preceded in death): Louise Axelson Boros, Marie Axelson Sikora, and Margaret Axelson.

Carl graduated from West Mifflin North High School in 1965.  After graduation, Carl was accepted to Duquesne University to study business.  During his first year of college, Carl met and married his beautiful wife, Patricia Donahue.  Because he was a member of the Navy reserves, Carl was called to active duty in Vietnam after just two years at Duquesne.  After his honorable service, Carl, Patricia, and their two young daughters returned to Pittsburgh so Carl could finish school.  Now that he had a growing family, Carl worked full time at the Heinz Corporation and finished his classes at night.  In 1975, Carl graduated with his Bachelor's degree in business with his wife and their now three children in attendance.

Carl continued to work his way up the corporate ladder attracting the attention of the law firm Wick, Vuono, & Lavelle who approached him and sponsored him to attend the University of Pittsburgh to complete the Interstate Commerce Law Course, which enabled him to testify in suits regarding interstate commerce law before the Interstate Commerce Commission in Washington, DC.

After more promotions, Carl and his family moved to Grand Island, NY where he attended night school again.  This time at the State University of New York at Buffalo where he earned his Master's degree in Business Administration in 1978.

Carl's professional life was marked by many achievements and promotions (and relocations!).  After starting in that entry level position at the Heinz Corporation in Pittsburgh in 1972, Carl retired as Vice President of Logistics and Transportation at Occidental Chemical in Dallas in 2008.  As we all expected, retirement didn't suit Carl and he soon accepted the position of Vice President of Logistics for Dairy.com – A position he held until 2017.

Carl Axelson was a proud member of the Vocal Majority Chorus from 2004 to 2017.  He was on the risers for multiple silver and gold winning performances including his favorite set in Las Vegas in 2014 (Johnny was always his favorite).  From the moment Carl earned his spot on the risers, he was a changed man.  He had always been a high achiever in regard to his work, and the VM gave him a new challenge and opportunities for achievement.  But so much more than that, the VM provided opportunities for growth as a musician, which would open up a whole new emotional world to him.  Carl often spoke about how intensely proud he was to be a "gentleman of the Vocal Majority."

Carl was most proud of his family, his Naval service, and his time on the risers with the Vocal Majority.

Carl is survived by his wife Patricia and their children, Kristen, Shelley, Gregory (Melissa), Douglas (Casey), and Brooke (Lucas Wilke) and grandchildren, Austin (Emillie), Kathryn, Ava, Benjamin, Layla, Charlotte, Lily, Colin, Grace, and Lincoln.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Friday, May 24th at 2:00 pm at Rockpointe Church, 4503 Cross Timbers Road, Central Campus, Flower Mound, Texas

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to The Alzheimer's Association for dementia research.