Born in 1921 in Coalgate, Oklahoma, he was the son of Charles and Mary Grace Carson and the grandson of Joseph H. Carson, pioneer rancher, doctor and banker in the Oklahoma Territory.
A graduate of Marion Military Institute and West Point, he served his country with distinction. A highly decorated command pilot with over 4, 000 hours, he flew the B-26 in World War II.
Amongst his many assignments, he was Commander, USAF Military Trainer Center, Lackland AFB; Chief, Air Force Advisory Group, Vietnam MACV; Commander, Alaskan Air Command, Anchorage, Alaska; and numerous other positions. He retired as Commander, 12th Air Force, Bergstrom AFB, Austin in 1975.
Gen. Carson is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Jane O'Hanlon Carson; three daughters, Mary Jane, Althea and Deborah; son-in-law, Duane Hutchins, and grandsons Scott and Jeff Hutchins.
Gen. Carson was a brave, humorous, and generous man of integrity who will be greatly missed. His family deeply mourns his loss and will miss him with all their hearts.
