Frank John Carlo

Frank J. Carlo, 89, of Blackstone, Virginia, passed away on Thursday, July 18, 2024.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Peggy Patterson Carlo.  Frank is survived by two daughters, Connie Owen and Gina Carlo and one son, Charles Carlo (Sheila); six grandchildren, Ryan Hulings (Brittney), Blake Jones (Brianna), Lindsey Jones (Jamie), Alex Owen, Kelsee Jacobs (Jesse), and Crystal Coe (Brandon); six great grandchildren, Jaxson & Ava Hulings, Addie & Rhett Jacobs and Kaylee & Emmy Coe. 

Frank was born in New York, New York and graduated from Bryant College in 1955 with a business degree. At an early age he got involved in the family textile and velvet business, Glastonbury Dyeing and Finishing, in Glastonbury, Connecticut along with the sales office, Deluxe Velvet, in New York, New York.  While relocating the business, Frank met and married Peggy in 1968.  Once the business was completed and moved to Blackstone, Virginia, it was expanded to include weaving, dyeing and finishing velvet material, where he employed over 150 people at The Velvet Textile Co., Inc.  Not only did Frank make the velvet business thrive, but he took the reins and started Frank Carlo Farms, where he bred, raised and showed Quarter Horses. At one time he owned and cared for 300 horses. He became very well-known across the country when, with a good eye for the great ones, he purchased My Leo Mambo, who became the leading sire of pleasure horses for years on the east coast, Smoke 49, who was one of the greatest sons of Mr. Gunsmoke, but his career as a sire was tragically cut way too short, and the most well-known, Bar Flower, who was a leading sire of AQHA Champions. These three stallions went on to sire some of the country’s most cherished & successful offspring that people are still talking about to this day! In the early years, Frank had a passion for the cutting horse and that is why Smoke 49 sparked his interest. This stallion produced just what he desired, earning him that cutting horse belt buckle that he wore daily. Frank was happy when he was out cutting grass.  He finally upgraded from his tractor and Woods mower to a Bad Boy zero turn.  There was no stopping him then! Frank loved being around his kids, especially spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, and attended many of their sporting events. 

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 P.M., Friday, July 26, 2024, at the Joseph McMillian Funeral Home, 1826 Cox Rd., Blackstone, VA  23824.  Graveside funeral services will be held at 1 P.M., Saturday, July 27, 2024 in Lakeview Cemetery, 8th St., in Blackstone.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Nottoway Co. Emergency Squad, P.O. Box 453, Crewe, VA  23930 or to the Blackstone Vol. Fire Dept., 318 Church St., Blackstone, VA  23824.  www.mcmillianfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Frank John Carlo, please visit our floral store.