Orville Ernest "Ernie" Carlton

Orville Ernest “Ernie” Carlton, son of the late Merlin Emerson Carlton and Bertha Ethel (Rustin) Carlton, was born August 4, 1933, in Stoutland, Missouri. Ernie, as he was known to his family and friends, grew up in Stoutland and attended school. During his junior year of high school, Ernie’s family moved to Arizona due to his father’s health. However, they left Ernie behind to work on the family farm. He continued going to school and graduated from Stoutland High School with the Class of 1951. Later in life, he thoroughly enjoyed attending class reunions and staying in touch with his classmates. The same year he graduated from high school, Ernie would later tell the story of how he loaded up his pickup truck full of young men to head to Fort Leonard Wood because they heard there were job openings. Ernie was fortunate enough to get a job at the Post Exchange where he worked his way up to manager and retired in 1974 after 24 years of faithful service. Ernie served his country in the United States Army from July 1953 until his honorable discharge in January 1955. During his time in the military, he served in Korea, and he was proud of being a Korean Conflict veteran. On October 2, 1966, Ernie was united in marriage to Mary Margaret Hayes in Lebanon, Missouri. They shared over 49 years of marriage together and upon their marriage, two families were blended to include five children: Rick, Terry, Tammy, Scott, and Nancy. Ernie bought a farm outside of Dixon and named it Diamond C Ranch where he raised cattle, horses and his loved dogs could roam. He sold horse trailers and he and Mary ran a horse tack shop out of their home for many years. He and his son Rick would buy, trade and sell horses as a hobby and Ernie won many ribbons, trophies and belt buckles from showing horses. Some knew him as “McCloud” due to him always wearing cowboy boots and a cowboy hat. During his younger years, Ernie enjoyed bird and deer hunting. He had a favorite bird dog that he would use by the name of Lemon. Ernie was very community and civic minded, helping with many different organizations. In 1983, Ernie was elected Pulaski County Eastern District Commissioner where he served until 1990. He also served on the Pulaski County Public Facilities Authority Board as the director which was instrumental in building the new Pulaski County Courthouse in Waynesville. Ernie was a member of the Dixon Lion’s Club and was a Democratic committeeman and also served for a time as a deputy for the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department. For several years, Ernie served on The State Bank of Dixon board and was elected to Vice President. The bank was sold to Mid America Bank and Trust and he continued to serve there until 2010. As an adult, Ernie made a profession of faith and accepted Christ as his Savior. He became a faithful member for over 40 years of the First Baptist Church of Dixon where he served as an usher. Ernie went home to be with his Lord Monday, September 9, 2024, in the Missouri Veteran’s Home of St. James, Missouri having attained the age of 91 years. He will be sadly missed, but fondly remembered by all those that knew and loved him. He leaves to cherish his memory, five children: Rick Carlton (Alice) of Dixon, MO, Terry Helton (Steve) of Palace, MO, Tammy Richards (Matt) of Camdenton, MO, Scott McCray (Trish) of Dixon, MO, and Nancy Sterling (Jim) of Columbia, MO; nine grandchildren: Bronson Helton (Kim) of Rolla, MO, Brody Helton (Leslie) of Palace, MO, Jarad Milligan (Joni) of Lebanon, MO, Niki Kelsay (Jared) of Dixon, MO, Cole Anderson of Dixon, MO, Matt McCray (Julie) of Dixon, MO, Laura Jacobs (Josh) of Dixon, MO, Carl Edwards (Kate) of Columbia, MO, and Kenny Edwards (Beth) of Columbia, MO; several great grandchildren, along with several nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. In addition to his parents, Ernie was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Carlton who passed in 2015; his sister: Elaine Helms and brother-in-law Don Helms; and brother: Merlin Carlton and sister-in-law Ginger Carlton. Even though he is gone from our sight, Ernie’s strong faith and commitment to his family and community will live on in our hearts forever. Services were held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, September 13, 2024 in the First Baptist Church of Dixon, Missouri with Pastor Daniel Biggs officiating. The songs "Amazing Grace" by Willie Nelson, "Scars in Heaven" by Casting Crowns, and "When We All Get to Heaven" by Alan Jackson were played. Serving as escorts were Bronson Helton, Brody Helton, Jarad Milligan, Matt McCray, Niki Kelsay, and Laura Jacobs. Serving as honorary escorts were Cole Anderson, Carl Edwards, Kenny Edwards, Curly Basham, Ralph VanKirk, and Bobby Walters. Burial with military honors followed in the Dixon Cemetery of Dixon, Missouri with military honors provided by the Missouri Honors Team. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Ernie Carlton to the Dixon Community Scholarship Fund or the First Baptist Church of Dixon and may be left at Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert.