Harold E. "Whitey" Carlton Obituary (1930 - 2022)

Harold Edward “Whitey” Carlton was born May 23, 1930 in Syracuse, NY to parents George Lester Carlton and Carrie Julia Hidden, and grew up in Tully with his three sisters and six brothers. Harold married Norma Jean Youngblood on May 26, 1949, and for two years, served his country honorably in the Navy. Harold is survived by his 4 children - Timothy (Phyllis) Carlton, Susan Carlton, Julia Ferris, and Janet (Milo) Osmun; nine grandchildren; twenty-six great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren, and his companion of many years, Shelly Grant. Moving the family to Elmira in 1957, he began his baking career working for George Youngblood, Norma’s father, at Light’s Bakery. He eventually opened and operated his own bakery, The Cake Box, until it was damaged in the flood of ’72. He spent several years rehabbing flood damaged homes, delivered mobile homes along the east coast, but returned to the bakery business. He bought Lights Bakery in 1980 and eventually relocated it to its current location. Harold was a dedicated, hard working, savvy business man, and Lights has endured as a prominent local establishment. Whitey gradually slid into retirement, and his daughter Julia took over operations. He began enjoying the rewards of his hard work, becoming an avid fisherman, traveler, golfer, and artist. He became a prolific, accomplished artist, and studied under the likes of Thomas Buechner and Marty Poole. His artwork adorns the walls of Lights Bakery. Harold impacted the lives of countless people with his humor, wit, counsel, and generosity. His creative nature was a trait to admire. Services for Whitey will be held privately. Those wishing to remember Whitey please consider memorial contributions to a charity of one’s choice in his memory. On September 25, 2022, at the age of 92, Harold passed away quietly and his memory will live on in our hearts forever.