VERNON JAMES "V.J." CARLTON, age 74, of Tulsa, Oklahoma passed away Thurday, August 19, 2010. V. J. was born on February 3rd, 1936 in Parthenon, Arkansas and was the son of Sam Wallace & Ida Wendike Carlton. He grew up in Arkansas and came to Oklahoma in the early 1950s. He served his country in the United States Army from September of 1958 until 1960 in Germany. He married Paula Shirlene Eldridge, the love of his life, and she preceded him in death. He worked as a Route Driver Supervisor for Pepsi Bottling Company. After retirement, V. J. continued his vending route. He enjoyed watching his son's and grandson's baseball games, racecars, and spending time with his family. He was a member of the Southeast Baptist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. SURVIVED BY: SON: Randy Carlton & Wife, Debra - Sand Springs, Oklahoma BROTHERS: Harold R. Carlton & Wife, Shirley - Tulsa, Oklahoma Donald L. Carlton & Wife, Alice - Stilwell, Oklahoma SISTERS: Colleen Parker & Husband, Cliff - Webbers Falls, Oklahoma Mildred Farrell - Stilwell, Oklahoma GRANDCHILDREN: Brett Carlton Stephanie Carlton Services: 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 25th, 2010, at Southeast Baptist Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma Officiating: Dr. Ival Robinson Graveside Service: 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 25th, 2010, at Bethesda Cemetery in Morrow, Arkansas Under the direction of Mark Griffith Memorial Funeral Home - Westwood Chapel in Tulsa, Oklahoma.