George Alfred Carleton, age 75, passed away on Sunday, June 4, 2017, at Sky Lakes Medical Center. A Memorial of Sam's life will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 8, 2017, at the Merrill I.O.O.F. Cemetery.Sam was born on Dec. 10, 1941, in Oregon City, Ore. to Alfred and Helen (Kamarad) Carleton. He grew up in Merrill and graduated from Merrill High School in 1960. After high school, Sam worked for Irvin Miller at the Union gas bulk plant in Merrill. He then went to work for Copeland Lumber Yard in Tulelake, Calif., and became the manager there when he was 21. He was transferred to Oregon City for a year before returning to the Klamath Falls location; he also worked for Empire Building and Pelican Tractor.While working at Pelican Tractor, Sam and Dick joined the family farm, eventually going into farming full time. He became a member of Malin Potato Co-op in the early 1970s, where he served on the board of directors. While he farmed, he built a water tender (fire truck). His son, Greg, and nephew, Jim, grew up farming with Sam and Dick, allowing Sam to retire in 1994. From there he operated his truck during fire season until 2009, donating his truck to the Merrill Volunteer Fire Department.Sam was a member of the band, The Ventures (name changing to The Trespassers), from 1960-64 along with his brother. He was a member of the Tulelake Volunteer Ambulance Service and Tulelake Kiwanis Club. When he returned to Merrill, he joined the Merrill Volunteer Fire Department.He met Diane Ralfson in Lake Head, Calif., in 1995. They loved their dogs and cats and enjoyed fishing, wintering in Lakehead, clam digging and most recently summering in Gold Beach, Ore. A family pastime was playing cribbage, gin rummy and the organ. He loved to listen to his sons play music.Survivors include his brother, Dick and Margie Carleton of Merrill; his companion of 22 years, Diane Rolfson of Lakehead.; his children and their spouses, Greg and Cyndee Carleton, Steve and Cathy Carleton, Kristine Golden and Brian Haines, and Bobbie and Bryan Hankins, all of Klamath Falls, and Ronnie Carleton and Whitney Anderson of Eugene, Ore.; grandchildren, Andrew, Rylee and Logan Carleton and Emily, Cameron and Dominic Hankins; nephews, Jim and LaVonne Carleton and Donnie and Rachel Carleton; and numerous nieces and nephews and step-grandchildren. He is also survived by his "special sister," Janie Kirkpatrick. He was preceded in death by his parents and "special sister," Margie Retterath. Those wishing to do so may send memorial contributions to Merrill Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 365, Merrill, OR.