Arthur Carlson, Jr., 88, Overland Park, died Monday, July 12, 2010. A visitation will be held Thursday, July 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. A funeral service will be held Friday at 10 a.m., also at the chapel. Burial will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery in Humboldt.

Art was born June 5, 1922 on a farm near Buffalo, to Arthur and Olga Anderson Carlson. He had four siblings: Gladys, Wilma, Opal, and Melvin. He served nearly four years in the U.S. Army during WWII (Air Force and Infantry, Patton’s Third Army). He attended several colleges and universities, Neosho County Community College, Wichita State University, University of San Francisco, Kansas State University, and University of Missouri at Kansas City.

Dr. Carlson practiced veterinary medicine for 12 years in Humboldt, and worked for Cutter-Haver-Lockhart/Bayer Laboratories, Shawnee, for 25 years, serving in various positions including VP of pharmaceutical research, and director of quality assurance, retiring in 1986. Dr. Carlson originated the Biblesta Celebration in Humboldt in 1958, which became an annual event that continues for its 52nd year.

He was a member of Prairie Baptist Church in Prairie Village.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Kathleen Chancy Carlson, and their three daughters, Jan Heinen, Lenexa, Diane Stedem, Lee’s Summit, Mo., Nancy Richardson, Leawood; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson Foundation of the Heartland, or to the Biblesta Committee.

Condolences may be expressed at www.amosfamily.com.