Karl H. Axelson, 76, died Jan. 7, 2010, at William Childs Hospice House in Palm Bay.
He was born in Greenport, N.Y. and lived in Sebastian for 21 years coming from Mattituck, N.Y.
Before retirement, he was a senior lab technician at the U.S. Government Disease Lab at Plum Island, N.Y.; a former fire chief in the Greenport Fire Department in New York; a past captain and life member of Standard Hose Co. 4, Greenport F.D.; a former fire commissioner of the Greenport Fire Department; and a charter member and past captain of Co. 6, Mattituck Fire Department.
He was a decorated Army veteran of the Korean War, and a member of the Chosin Few. He also served in Germany from 1951-53. He was one of the original founders of the Korean War Veterans Association’s Grey Beards and a charter life member of No. 75 National.
He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10210 in Sebastian American Legion Post 189; Fellowship Degree in Loyal Order of Moose 1767 Sebastian River; and Elks 2714, Sebastian.
He attended Leonardo High School, N.J.
Survivors include his wife of 14 years, Barbara A. Axelson; daughter, Mary Jane Williams of Chester, Va.; stepdaughter, Colleen T. Young of Ridgefield, Conn.; stepson, Owen M. McCarron of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and 11 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Harold Axelson and Fred Axelson.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Jan. 29 at Sebastian Cemetery with military honors by the Sebastian River Area Veterans Honor Guard.
Arrangements are by Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory in Sebastian. A guest book may be signed at seawindsfh.com/obit.php.