Mr. Karlson was born in Worcester, the son of Albertina Swanson and Andrew Karlson, who emigrated from Sweden. He acquired his love of the outdoors in Worcester, where he hunted, trapped, fished and gardened. In 1933 he earned his bachelor of science degree in horticulture at the University of Massachusetts. There, he met his future wife, Myrtle "Wendy" Stebbins Gary. Though the Great Depression was at its worst, he immediately secured a position at North High School where he taught agricultural sciences for almost 30 years.

Mr. Karlson was a member of the Worcester County Teachers Association, for which he served as both president and board member. After school hours, he ran a landscape and nursery business. He worked actively with the Worcester Horticultural Society, and area farms and garden clubs. He also was a member of the Masons.

In 1942, Mr. Karlson joined the U.S. Navy, and completed officer training school at Princeton University. On D-Day, he commanded a fleet of 14 rocket ships at Utah Beach. In 1944, he became the commanding officer of the USS Daedalus.

Tragedy struck in 1953 when the historic Worcester tornado destroyed the family home and critically injured two of his children. He and his wife remained forever grateful to the American Red Cross and area medical providers for their help. Mr. Karlson and his family summered at their home on Nauset Heights in East Orleans, which later became their retirement home. In October of 1990, he lost his beloved wife. He then began hiking mountains in New England, the Appalachians, the Sierra Nevada, the Rockies, the Alps and Nepal.

He delighted in time with his family and friends, especially his annual fly fishing trips. Mr. Karlson is survived by five children, Andrew Gary Karlson of Patchogue, N.Y.; Peter Gustaf Karlson of Milton, Michael Stebbins Karlson of Nantucket, D. Jeffrey Karlson of East Orleans, Donna Mae Karlson of Bar Harbor; 10 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Contributions may be made to the American Red Cross of Central Massachusetts Disaster Relief Fund. A memorial service in East Orleans is planned for next spring.