The DU Lounge
Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsUlysses, another long-time DUer gone
I'm not on DU very often these days, but I checked the In Memoriam section and noted that one passing had not been listed.
Those of you who have been on this site for several years will remember John Carle, who posted under the name of Ulysses. Aside from astute political comments, he shared with us the story of adopting his son.
He was one of the DUers who became a Facebook friend, and I learned about his experiences as a dedicated teacher, including starting an after-school club aimed at getting boys to enjoy reading, and becoming a stepfather to his second wife Jennifer's children. However, this past fall, I began seeing posts about him having cancer. Then he passed away in November.
Jennifer posted the following in April 2026:
"It has been five months since John died and somehow i am still on my feet, still moving forward. Chris [John's son] came over today, we finished his FAFSA and I got to mother-hen him a bit. I filled his car up with gas and bought him frozen custard.
Time is so weird. Sometimes it seems like only yesterday that John and I were enjoying the mundane tasks of life,hand-in-hand. And sometimes our entire relationship seems like it existed in a dream from long ago. Time will tell, time heals all wounds, time is money, it's all in the timing. Time is the one precious commodity that we can never get back. And I will always cherish the time I had with him.
I will tell all of you this: don't waste time, don't lose one single moment, because you never know when your time will be up. Pursue that dream, take that leap of faith, and hold on to the people you love for all the time you can."
I'm sure that all long-time DUers will join in expressing their condolences to Ulysses' family and friends.
underpants
(197,761 posts)SheltieLover
(82,587 posts)greatauntoftriplets
(179,547 posts)chouchou
(3,421 posts)mwmisses4289
(5,115 posts)malaise
(299,486 posts)Thanks for posting this.
proud patriot
(102,589 posts)sdfernando
(6,138 posts)Rest in Peace good man!
Peace Love and Strength to all of his family and freinds.
StarryNite
(12,196 posts)LoisB
(13,739 posts)Moostache
(11,346 posts)I hate being at the age that time is taking things I am comfortable with or have had as part of my life for a while away with alarming increases in frequency.
May his memory live on the hearts and minds he touched.
George McGovern
(13,442 posts)Commiserations to all of us at DU who have lost an online friend from our caring community.
We carry on in their names.
mountain grammy
(29,347 posts)Niagara
(12,397 posts)2naSalit
(104,712 posts)stage left
(3,380 posts)calimary
(91,388 posts)
dont waste time, don't lose one single moment, because you never know when your time will be up. Pursue that dream, take that leap of faith, and hold on to the people you love for all the time you can."
- John Carle, aka Ulysses
VERY good to remember! A blessing for sure. Thank you, Lydia Leftcoast, for letting us know.
H2O Man
(79,459 posts)There really aren't words. I hope that Jennifer & children will know how much we liked and respected John.
hlthe2b
(115,151 posts)It feels wrenching to realize he's been gone this many months but there are so many here who fondly remember him. RIP, John. You will be missed.
chowder66
(12,678 posts)Laurelin
(985 posts)I remember Ulysses
I'm so sorry to hear of his passing. He was a valued community member.
orangecrush
(31,801 posts)Chicagogrl1
(681 posts)Good reminder to try to live every moment as best as possible, and to let those that you know that are close to you that you love them.
Kali
(56,978 posts)Solly Mack
(97,421 posts)I enjoyed reading his comments and conversing with him. I have long missed seeing him around and now I'll mourn him.
I'll also celebrate him because he was one good egg.
RIP Ulysses.
Lithos
(26,660 posts)Ulysses was one of the greats. Very sharp in his comments.
FemDemERA
(938 posts)RIP
Dixiegrrrl
(223 posts)it would be helpful.
patphil
(9,326 posts)I see. That leap of faith can only be taken in the moment that is the now. Then that moment slips into the past.
All change occurs in the current moment.
Take that leap with love in your heart, and no regrets.
UpInArms
(55,608 posts)IbogaProject
(6,176 posts)It looks like I found his obituary relevant as they have a scholarship drive in lieu of flowers. https://www.mmsfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/john-christian-carle
He will also be mourned by the countless young people who he helped and mentored over the years. May his memory be a blessing for all of his family, friends, and colleagues.
In Lieu of flowers the family has asked for donation to be made to the RSU Foundation. Please make checks payable to RSU Foundation with John Carle Memorial Scholarship in the memo line or online donations may be made at www.rsu.edu/give.
RSU Foundation
1701 W. Will Rogers Blvd.
Claremore, OK 74017
leftstreet
(41,364 posts)Oh man, this is sad
CaptainTruth
(8,296 posts)bdamomma
(69,667 posts)to Ulysses's family.
ancianita
(43,442 posts)SCantiGOP
(14,786 posts)About 25 of us met at a Tavern and then went to his house. This was early in the Bush administration. We had a great time and he was a gracious host.
Lithos
(26,660 posts)There were many such get-togethers across the US, but this was one of the early ones that showed the level of identity and camaraderie.
SCantiGOP
(14,786 posts)Called Meetup for all the DUers sign in.
Lithos
(26,660 posts)Austin had maybe 4-5 meetups, but I could only make it to 2. I have gotten to meet a lot of DUers across the country, though it has been years since the last one. Coincidentally, that person was Elad.
TommieMommy
(3,214 posts)enki23
(7,796 posts)blm
(114,833 posts)Sad to hear, and also sad to say its becoming more difficult for some of us older DUers to keep up.
💐🕯️
brer cat
(27,761 posts)I do remember him well, and he is missed here.
CatWoman
(80,349 posts)Last edited Mon May 11, 2026, 10:57 PM - Edit history (1)
i had no idea.
we became good friends thru DU, and he was my semi neighbor.
i was also friends with his first wife, but we got out of touch once they divorced and he moved out of state.
he had a dog named Scarlett who had allergies and also a skin condition. as I'm an allergy sufferer too, he called us Itchy and Scratchy.
the last interaction i had with him was on Twitter when i informed him my cat had died. after john moved out of my area to Douglas County, he had rescued the cat after noticing she was eating garbage and i adopted her.
Greybnk48
(10,762 posts)My love to you all.
tavernier
(14,569 posts)OAITW r.2.0
(32,949 posts)Sucks.
young_at_heart
(4,079 posts)What an outstanding man and how sad he had to be taken so young! Lots of love to his wonderful family.
turbinetree
(27,789 posts)kentuck
(116,010 posts)He was one of the first DUers that I followed. He was an original.
TBF
(37,598 posts)thank you for letting us know! Condolences to his wife, other family and friends.