Obituary of Carlton Dale "Carl" Jorgensen

Carlton "Carl" Dale Jorgensen, Sr. was born in Bone Lake, Wisconsin on August 20, 1931, to Carl and Frances (Chalberg) Jorgensen. He was raised on the family farm with his siblings Katherine, Neal, and Clayton. He was proud of his midwest roots, spoke often about his parents, Scandinavian heritage, life on the farm, and of course was a Packers fan. In 1949, he joined the U.S. Air Force which launched his career in Air Training Command. His fellow GI's referred to him as "Jorgy". He was stationed at many bases during his USAF career. While stationed in Carswell he married his adored wife Helen Ruth (Wooldridge), then onto Loring where he engaged in launching training operations for the B-36 Peacemaker. From Loring, it was onto Davis Monthan to support the new B-47 Stratojet bomber. Next came Castle AFB where the USAF established their main B-52 training facility. He instructed pilots on the operations of the B-52 and taught navigators how to navigate. He also instructed crew combat training and frequently traveled to Lackland AFB to teach Nuclear Bomb Commander Training. 1961, it was to Homestead AFB, and then came Travis AFB where he was given a command. One final transfer landed him at Beale AFB, CA; where he retired from in 1977 at the highest possible enlisted rank - Chief Master Sergeant. During his USAF career he was in 3 squadrons that were awarded "Best in SAC" (Strategic Air Command), the highest commendation a squadron could receive, he achieved the prestigious designations of Master Technician and Master Instructor, and was on the BomNav Honor Roll. While serving his country and raising a family he completed his Master's Degree at Stanford University. In retirement, he was always quick with an enthralling military service story, or sharing his knowledge of all things USAF Bombers ~ especially B-52s and BombNav! While extremely devoted to service to our country, he was a very loving husband to Helen and father to his children, Carla Beckett (John), Catherine Powell (Jim), Carlton Jorgensen, Jr. (Nancy), Clayton Jorgensen (Rebecca), Kimberly Langley (Mark), and Kelly Nicoletti (Tony). His beloved wife Helen passed in 1981. Carl was blessed to find the 2nd love of his life, Winnie (Bogdanoff-Beckett), whom he married in 1983; this union brought 4 loving adult stepchildren, Chris Bare (Dave), Rick Bogdanoff, Martha Cassi (Walter), and John Beckett, Sr. (Carla). Carl and Winnie were very involved in Grace Episcopal Church in Wheatland, CA. He answered the call to serve twice as the church's sr. warden, and played a key role in the refurbish and expansion of the historic church facility. His loving wife Winnie passed in 2004. Carl was 3 times blessed by God, who brought him to his beautiful wife, Dorothea "Dodie" (Reich). Carl and Dodie were inseparable and enjoyed traveling, yard sales, and visiting family. Carl Jorgensen was a patriotic, generous man of God who loved to tell or hear a good Ole and Lena joke, solve complex math equations just for fun, write poetry, and play bingo. We are all better people for having known the man who showed his love to so many. He is preceded in death by his wives, Helen Ruth and Winnie, his parents, his sister, Katherine and her husband, Alvin Olson, daughter-in-law, Sherry Bogdanoff, granddaughter, Kristi Hall, and great granddaughter, Lillie Jorgensen. He is survived by his 10 children, wife, Dodie, brothers, Clayton Jorgensen (Karen) and Neal Jorgensen (Darlyne), 22 grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 3rd, at 1:00 p.m. at Sierra View Mortuary, 4900 Olive Avenue, in Olivehurst, CA with committal to follow at Sierra View Memorial Park, where Military Honors will be rendered by the Beale AFB Honor Guard. Sierra View Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.