Douglas William Carson

1959-2021

Doug was born at UCLA Santa Monica hospital, and spent his younger years in Culver City on Motor Avenue, just down the street from Dr. Paul Carlson Park. He attended Farragut Elementary School, and did all the usual things kids did in those days, and especially enjoyed going camping and backpacking as both a Cub Scout and a Boy Scout.

Before long, the trips to the mountains got him interested in whitewater kayaking on the Kern River, and by high school he had made a name for himself even when at home in the city, by catapulting himself in his kayak off the high board at the Culver City Plunge.

Another keen interest from early childhood had been a fascination with Lego Blocks, and after making straight “A’s” at Culver City High School, he followed that interest in his college years to USC, earning a degree in Architecture.

Along the way, his “summer jobs” were as a whitewater rafting tour guide, not only on his beloved Kern River, but also in Grand Canyon National Park. During his spare time, he was a remarkably skilled whitewater kayaker, even having a major Kern River feature named after him: “Carson Falls”.

After graduating from USC, Doug worked for several different companies, utilizing his design skills on an amazing array of items; from military shelters to chandeliers. Notably, he received three U.S. Patents for commercial lighting fixtures. Amazingly, he even worked with a NASA aerospace subcontractor, helping design the Conical Decelerator for Mars Landers.

His heart was never far from the river, and throughout his life enjoyed working on the water more than anything. Doug spent many years as an expedition guide, leading journeys by raft along several of the world’s best whitewater rivers from Canada to Chile.

In his later years, Doug continued to enjoy camping, rock climbing, and even riding the ocean surf in his kayak. In particular, he played guitar as much as possible, both alone and with friends who shared that passion. He was also a devoted caregiver to his mother, Jane; spending countless hours driving her to church, club meetings, and doctor’s appointments.