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
(197,472 posts)SheltieLover
(82,098 posts)greatauntoftriplets
(179,464 posts)chouchou
(3,375 posts)mwmisses4289
(4,902 posts)malaise
(298,612 posts)Thanks for posting this.
proud patriot
(102,587 posts)sdfernando
(6,125 posts)Rest in Peace good man!
Peace Love and Strength to all of his family and freinds.
StarryNite
(12,178 posts)LoisB
(13,652 posts)Moostache
(11,311 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
(13,177 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
(29,276 posts)Niagara
(12,306 posts)2naSalit
(104,171 posts)stage left
(3,360 posts)calimary
(91,113 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
(79,385 posts)There really aren't words. I hope that Jennifer & children will know how much we liked and respected John.
hlthe2b
(114,904 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
(12,588 posts)Laurelin
(970 posts)I remember Ulysses
I'm so sorry to hear of his passing. He was a valued community member.
orangecrush
(31,512 posts)Chicagogrl1
(678 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
(56,946 posts)Solly Mack
(97,333 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
(26,659 posts)Ulysses was one of the greats. Very sharp in his comments.
FemDemERA
(925 posts)RIP
Dixiegrrrl
(222 posts)it would be helpful.
patphil
(9,265 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
(55,507 posts)IbogaProject
(6,110 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
(41,323 posts)Oh man, this is sad
CaptainTruth
(8,285 posts)bdamomma
(69,634 posts)to Ulysses's family.
ancianita
(43,403 posts)SCantiGOP
(14,773 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
(26,659 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
(14,773 posts)Called Meetup for all the DUers sign in.
Lithos
(26,659 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
(3,150 posts)enki23
(7,796 posts)blm
(114,802 posts)Sad to hear, and also sad to say its becoming more difficult for some of us older DUers to keep up.
💐🕯️
brer cat
(27,724 posts)I do remember him well, and he is missed here.
CatWoman
(80,343 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
(10,757 posts)My love to you all.
tavernier
(14,545 posts)OAITW r.2.0
(32,827 posts)Sucks.
young_at_heart
(4,072 posts)What an outstanding man and how sad he had to be taken so young! Lots of love to his wonderful family.
turbinetree
(27,772 posts)kentuck
(115,770 posts)He was one of the first DUers that I followed. He was an original.
TBF
(37,455 posts)thank you for letting us know! Condolences to his wife, other family and friends.