John Jerome Carlos
Share
“Music is my life”. John J. Carlos spoke these words two weeks before he passed away on November 4th, 2016.
John was born October 20, 1929 in Lawrence, the son of Don Fredrick and Elsie (Forrest) Carlos. He attended Lawrence public schools but graduated from Maur Hill High School in Atchison, KS.
St. Benedict’s, a private Catholic college, offered John a trumpet scholarship. He attended St. Benedict’s and then Kansas University majoring in trumpet and drawing and painting. An oil painting of stone structures on the original Stouffer Place, a farm at 19th and Iowa Street, was one of his best works.
He was a member of Phi Mu Alpha, an honorary music fraternity. Leaving KU after three years to launch The John Carlos Combo where he arranged music and dance job dates with the Combo, appearing at nearly every fraternity and sorority in this area along with local restaurants and clubs. In 1960 John moved to the east coast and became a professional musician performing musician returning to Lawrence after the death of his father where he resumed arranging and playing. For decades, he played with various local bands: Junkyard Jazz, the Lawrence City Band, New Horizons Band, River City Six and others.
Devout Catholics, the Carlos family managed the choir at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church during the 1940’s with John’s father directing, his mother playing the organ, with family and parishioners often singing elaborate High Masses. The family told the story of how cold the church was during choir practice and the only heat to be had was from one disc shaped heater that glowed orange. John continued to sing in the St. John’s Choir until this last year.
In the early 1960’s, at a protest march outside of the United Nations building in New York City, John chose to carry a large sign that said: “Go KU—Beat Mizzoo”. One of New York’s finest understood, laughed but thought he should perhaps move on.
John’s one sister, Patricia Koehler (William) passed away in 2009 and his older brother, Don Forrest Carlos (Jackie) is alive and well in Glendale, CA. Five local nieces and nephews include Mary Lynn Stuart (Jim), Michael Koehler (Karen), David Koehler, Joan Elder (Jeff) and Wendy Koerner (Larry). He is also survived by special people, friends, Reese and Angie Nordhus, Bob Steinlage and longtime special lady, Suzanne Wolf.
John Jerome Carlos lived a simple life. He formed educated opinions on political issues and never missed a chance to speak of those issues or rail against refined white sugar and enriched white flour. He had a quick wit; and amazing way with words, a profound love of the Church with a special devotion to the sacred heart of Jesus, and was one fine musician.
There will be a rosary at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, November 17, 2016 with a visitation to follow until 8:00 p.m. at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 18, 2016 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
Memorials may be made in his name to a charity of donor’s choice and may be sent in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
Thinking of my uncle with great fondness. We had dinner together at Sambo’s in Lawrence the night that Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. He was the black sheep, probably why we got along so well. Even though he had only infrequent visits from us, the California branch of the family, whenever we visited Lawrence when my brother and sister and I were young, he always had time for us. He knew how to think like we did, and we always had fun in his company. To some he was exasperating, but to us he was musical, magical, and the Pied Piper. I wish I had been able to spend more time with him.
On behalf of John’s many musical friends, we share our condolences. Playing music was John’s love and his continuity. We will miss his beautiful singing voice and melodic trumpet, not to mention his passionate political views and great sense of humor. “We Don’t Know Why We Love Like We Do, But We Just Do.”
I knew this wonderfully spoken man all my life, a friend of My Dad’s since college. Letting me set in on duets with Clarence Richard Stewart Jr (Saxes, Flute and Clarinet) when I was a novice Trumpet Player, his impressive ability to imitate a cat’s meow, and out for coffee at Taco Johns, Burger King or McDonald’s. John Carlos, a fine Trumpeter himself, was always a political and historical encyclopedia of information. As mutual friend Larry Alderson was often told he “wasn’t getting paid by the note” (my father-in-law Harry X. Winters Jr (Drums) et al), John could have been told he wasn’t getting paid by the word. When I helped Carlos move from his beautiful ancient former home of his parents to Babcock Place, I witnessed John’s attachment to his vast musical recordings and radio shows on cassette tape dating back for years. I sure wished I’d have gotten together with him to hear more stories about my Dad, John and Tom Bogardus. Now John has moved “into the next room” to be with our Lord and Savior, I’m looking forward to the wonderful potential jam sessions he is having with My Dad (C. Richard “Dick”), My Father-In-Law, Harry, Larry Alderson and all the greats!
I have very fond memories of John, particularly from an early age. He and Dad (Clyde Bysom) were in numerous musical groups together. I remember tagging along when they would rehearse and I thought John was so funny; he always had a great sense of humor!
My sympathy, thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Sincerely,
Terri Bysom Stringer
I had the pleasure of playing with John on various occasions and in various groups. He was always very kind to me and his kindness was only out measured by his passion and concern for what was going on in the world. I’m sure if he can, he will continue to enlighten anyone who will listen by pulling out a newspaper clipping from his shirt pocket to share.
Had to add I will never forget John Jerome calling me “Michael Kevin,” and asking for something like 47 seconds of my time to enlighten me on whatever single issue he was passionate about at the time! Hello to Bob Duffer. – Kevin Michael Stewart
For My Mother, Mary (C. Richard Stewart’s Wife): While we were dating we met John for dinner at The Jayhawker Restaurant on campus. When Rich got up for a trip to the bathroom or to purchase a package of his beloved cigarettes, John quipped “don’t worry if we’re gone when you get back, Richard; it just means the two of us ran off together.” Rich looked startled briefly, then walked away chuckling and shaking his head. John was always like a brother to my husband and an uncle to our sons (Jeff and Kevin). He would at times come over to play duets with Rich. Afterward, Rich wanted to rack up the balls and play pool, but John preferred adding the net and playing table tennis. He is dearly missed.
Back in the early 70s I was one of the lucky few who worked for John (and Karl A.) at The Sound. Many great memories. He was a kind and gentle man. May he rest in peace.
Condolences to John’s family. It was great to know John and play music with him. His wit and knowledge were delightful. We will miss him. Don and Margaret Nelson
I was just thinking of John recently, remembering him stopping and having a conversation with my mother (Mary Lee McCaffrey Hickam) occasionally, and that he was the first person I knew who recognized the negatives of refined sugar and flour for health. He was a man ahead of his time as many ways of healthy eating subscribe to some similar ideas (such as the Paleo diet). I’m sorry to see he has died. My condolences to family and friends.
i didn’t know john very long. too short a time in the junkyard band. i’d just like to relate a brief story. i had just started playing with the band, and was intimidated and unsure of myself. at the end of a selection, john turned around to me and said ” i think you might be missing a chord.” i told him i wouldn’t be surprised. he suggested i try a diminished. needless to say he was right. i will miss his ear, his humor, and his playing. i wish i had known him longer.