RAPID CITY | Dayton "Littleman" Carlson, 87, died Wednesday, April 19, 2017, at Rapid City Regional Hospital.

He was born May 17, 1929, to Eben & Lillie Carlson in Vliets, Kansas. He graduated from the same town in 1947 and joined the USAF in July 1948. He did basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas. He went to Armament school at Lowry AFB, Denver, CO, and was then sent to Rapid Air Force Base (Ellsworth) on March 4, 1949.

Assigned to the 717th Squadron on a B-29 turret mechanic. When the B-36 arrived he then cross trained to become a Chief Gunner. He flew over 300 hours before becoming a tail gunner on the B-52.

In 1949, while playing softball with Coach Sgt. "Tex" Joe Ostein, he was nicknamed "Littleman." Their team won 88 straight games between 1951-1952 and were runners up for the state title.

During this time, you might have been served your favorite beverage at the American Legion, or Cherio Bar, where he worked for 5+ years. He retired in July 1968 where he recalled those 19 years, 4 months, 17 days as some of the best times of his life because of the wonderful people in Rapid City and the beautiful Black Hills.

He married Margaret (Cook) Daily in 1965. From this union two beautiful children, Monte and Tonya were born.

After retiring he tended bar at the Anchor, where he met the most wonderful local girl, Carla (Hagel) Miller. She became his "Bride" on June 11, 1971, and added three fine boys, Chuck, Steve, and Mike, to their family.

Then he opened Littleman's Pizza Den in Robinsdale and Downtown. After selling he joined the team at Manor House as a salesman for 13 ½ years, traveling the Northern Hills, Dickinson, ND, and Baker, MT, and all the towns in between.

In 1985 he bought the original Murphy's Bar. They opened at the new (and now) location on Oct. 31, 1986. While there he enjoyed holding golf tournaments to raise money for the "Club for Boys." There were many great years of Restaurant ownership in Rapid City, Keystone, and Hill City. The Chute Rooster was sold in 1999.

Littleman loved life, laughter, nature, golfing, baseball (Cub's), football (especially the Broncos), camping and traveling with family and friends. Owning and loving the cabin in the Blue Wing Resort Community he shared his love of fishing with many and entertained for holidays and fish fry's with all.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Eben & Lillie Carlson, brother, John, and sister, Norma Stroud.

Those of us that enjoyed and are blessed to have spent time with him are his loving and caring "Bride", Carla; children: Monte, Rapid City; and Tonya, Maui, Hawaii; Chuck (Melissa), Hill City; Steve (Caroline), Gillette, WY; and Mike, Rapid City; grandchildren: Jennifer, Portland, OR, Lance (Kendra), Portland, OR; Erin (Kyle), Hill City; Teri, Gillette; great grandchildren: Eladio, Elias, Emmett, Baby, Madison, and Emmit.

Funeral Services will be at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, April 24, at Calvary Lutheran Church with Rev. Herb B. Cleveland officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to services.

Burial will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis will full military honors rendered by the Ellsworth Air Force Base Honor Guard.

A memorial has been established to the Club for Boys.