John Joseph Carlin

Frankfort - John Joseph Carlin, 66, of Frankfort, Ky., passed away on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, after a pulmonary embolism the week prior. John was born on Jan. 27, 1958, to John “Jack” Joseph and Charlyne “Char” Hermsen Carlin in Chicago, Ill. John attended St Raphael’s School in Cleveland, Ohio, and graduated from St. Ignatius High School in 1976. He went on to study marketing at the University of Kentucky, and received a Master of Business Administration from the University of Dallas. John’s early sales career began at Reed Rockbit in West Texas as an oil field salesman. He worked in sales, oil and gas, as a radio personality and as a fly fishing instructor for Orvis. John was a founder of IntelliPage, a precursor to text messaging before the age of the smartphone. But his true and most favored calling was as a Full Time Dad (FTD), after meeting his wife and becoming an amazing father. John originally met his wife, Martha, during college, but did not see her for another 13 years until running into her in a bar in Dallas, Texas. After approaching her and saying, “Hey, aren’t you Martha Rodgers?” it was love at second sight and they were inseparable ever since. John and Martha have three children together, Charlie Stagg Genry (a step-son), Mary McElroy “Mary Mac” Anderson and John “Jack” Joseph Carlin. John thrived in his role as an FTD, spending every day laughing and joking with his children, being the best helicopter dad, and adventuring to see new things in their beautiful home state of Colorado. John was an avid lover of the outdoors. Fishing, hiking, and biking were among his favorites, and due to his Eagle Scout expertise from his childhood, he was always prepared for every adventure. He was a known joker with a fantastically sharp and witty sense of humor, always providing the perfect “zinger” to make everyone laugh. Throughout his life he compiled all of the funny words and phrases he came across, was introduced to or invented in his “John-ka-pedia,” an encyclopedia of essential phrases that brought light to his life. John was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2002 and fought a long and valiant battle - helping, educating and advocating for others with the diagnosis through his efforts with Pedaling for Parkinson’s. John was instrumental in bringing Pedaling for Parkinson’s programs to communities across the country and was active in many areas of Parkinson’s fundraising and research. In 2011, he decided to conquer his Parkinson’s mountain on Kilimanjaro alongside his lifelong advocate, Martha, and a strong new family of friends. Summiting Kilimanjaro was a proud show of his perseverance and strength, which led him to share this joyful story in “More Than a Mountain,” a book chronicling this special journey of inspiration. John was full of light and shared that light with everyone he met. He collected many dear friends over the years. John never said an unkind word and was always there with a smile or joke for friends in need. John is predeceased by his parents John “Jack” and Charlyne “Char” Hermsen Carlin. He is survived by his sisters Leslie Pritchard and Anne Carlin-Jacoby, his wife Martha, and his three children Charlie, Mary Mac, and Jack, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. Services will be held at Harrod Brothers Funeral Home, in Frankfort, Kentucky, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. service time. Interment will follow at Frankfort Cemetery. The family will also be holding a celebration of life in Denver, Colorado at a later date this year for all who loved him during his 26 years there. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his name to Parkinson's Pointe, Denver, Colorado, Pedaling for Parkinson's/The Davis Finney Foundation, Boulder, Colorado or BioCollective Research, LLC for PD and microbiome research, all organizations that John cared deeply about in his fight with Parkinson’s Disease. We also invite you all to share any pictures, memories, or random entries into the “John-ka-pedia” that you may have helped him create throughout the years. We know he shared so much joy and laughter with others and it was his wish that we all laugh, reminisce, and smile together during this time. Arrangements are under the direction of Harrod Brothers Funeral Home & Crematory.

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John Joseph Carlin

January 27, 1958 - September 26, 2024