Carlton "CT" Ihlan

Carlton Thomas Ihlan, known as CT by his friends or Carty by his loved ones, of Bellingham Washington, died on December 8, 2024 at the age of 86. 

CT was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin in 1938 to Oswin Carlton Ihlan and Dolores Whitmore Ihlan. CT attended LP Goodrich High School in Fond du Lac before joining the Navy. During his 25 years of active duty he held many job titles, but he was most proud of his years as air crew/navigator on the A-3 Skywarrior, including flying photo-reconnaissance missions over Vietnam. CT earned many medals which he humbly received, but never talked about. Among the awards and medals are The Combat Air Medal with Gold and Silver Stars. Upon retirement from the Navy in 1980, CT worked at the Mobil oil refinery in Ferndale Washington until his retirement in 1998.

CT met the love of his life, Fermina, in 1959 in the Nimitz Hill library on Guam, where CT was working a second job. He found Fermina, who was there studying, with her head on a table, sound asleep. He had to wake her because the library was closing but continued courting her while she finished her schooling. After Fermina graduated, she returned home to Saipan, and he followed soon after. The two were married July 30, 1959 on Saipan, enjoying 65 years of marriage.

CT was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing, hunting, and boating, and he passed this love down to his children. He also enjoyed riding his motorcycles; he raced Ducati’s and cruised around on his Triumph. He always made time for sharing a pint with his close circle of friends at the Albert J. Hamilton Post #7 of the American Legion, where he was a proud member for 44 years. He absolutely loved vegetable gardening and woodworking, making skateboards and bird houses and sharing that love with his grandchildren.

CT was preceded in death by his parents, Oswin and Dolores Ihlan. He is survived by his wife Fermina Sablan Ihlan, sister Pam (Paul) Kerch, and their children Chad and Barry; son James (Tracy) Ihlan, and their children Heather, Shari, Jake, and Mykenzie; daughter Yvonne (Larry) McQueeney, and their children Christine, Joseph, Kathleen, Kara, and Shane; son Joseph (Susan) Ihlan, and their children Christopher, David, and Matthew; and son John (Michelle) Ihlan. He is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren: Alexia, Dollie, Bella, Karson, Oliver, Sebastian, Emily, Tommy, Isabella, Elodie, and Peter.

A very special thank you to the wonderful staff at PeaceHealth Whatcom Hospice House for the loving care they provided CT in his final days, as well as the caring support they gave us, as we said goodbye to our husband, father, grandfather, and dear friend. 

CT’s final wish was to have his ashes spread over the Pacific Ocean. For those unable to join us in this private ceremony, please raise a toast in his honor. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Whatcom Hospice Foundation, American Legion Post #7, or The Lighthouse Mission.