John Carson Eddings

Carson was gallantry personified—a Southern gentleman who kept your drink topped off and made you feel that your presence was a welcome and hoped-for part of his day. When hunting, he’d invite you to take the first shot. When fishing, he’d give you the best spot—unless he was chasing the elusive bonefish in the Bahamas. And when Carson sat down at the piano, whether at the grand in his home or playing a honky-tonk number in a bar, people sat up and listened.

The man could recite poetry committed to memory in middle school and restore a vintage Porsche, part by greasy part. And oh, did he love fast boats and faster cars. His sister-in-love Cheri used to say, “He drove 'em like he stole 'em.”

But at his heart, at his core, Carson was an advertising man who loved nothing more than a great concept, a great product and the chance to pitch both.

Like many a Mad Man before him, he began in the mailroom of a little New York agency called McCann Erickson. The city enchanted and energized Carson, spinning the head of the young man from a small Southern town. He would return again and again over the years—to catch a show, entertain clients and spend time with family and friends.

Carson was born in Columbia, South Carolina, and moved with his family to Jacksonville when he was 7 years old. He graduated from Jacksonville University and went on to earn his MBA from the University of Louisville in Kentucky. He also served in the Coast Guard Reserve for eight years.

If you believe in foreshadowing, you should know that Carson once worked as a bagboy at Winn-Dixie.

After his stint in New York, he returned to Jacksonville and joined Winn-Dixie’s advertising department. He worked throughout the Southeast, moving from one division to another and learning the supermarket business from the aisle up. He even did a stint as one of the Beef People, working as a meat cutter—which taught him how to spot a great steak.

Carson eventually joined the William Cook Agency, where he managed the Winn-Dixie account, the agency’s largest at the time. Cook was one of Florida’s leading agencies for many years, and Carson rose from account manager to president and CEO. By the time he retired in 2002, he had spent more than 35 years with the agency.

It was a career filled with achievements and awards too numerous to mention—and Carson was never one to boast. But he was truly proud of the award-winning work the agency produced, from the Beef People campaigns and flying produce to the Olympics and one of his favorite Christmas spots, “Peace on Earth.”

He was even prouder of the creative and account teams he worked with, along with the clients he served over the years. Even after retirement, Carson would critique a television spot if he thought it wasn’t up to snuff. He had left the business, but he never stopped loving to talk about it—something he continued to do with a group called the Good Guys.

In 1985, Carson made the biggest sales pitch of his life and convinced Donna Blevins to marry him. Their love affair lasted more than 40 years. Together, they raised their son, Paul in their treasured community of Atlantic Beach.

At 6 feet 4 inches, Carson towered over most people. But he never stood so tall as when he leaned down to help a friend or lift up a child.

Some people knew Carson as a debonair, impeccably dressed professional. Others knew him as a khaki-clad fisherman. But if you never saw him dressed as Carmen Miranda at Key West Fantasy Fest, then you missed a man who knew how to have a good time—and how to carry off a fruit-filled turban.

Carson used to quote Hunter S. Thompson who said, “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a well-preserved body, but rather a chance to skid in broadside, in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up and worn out, proudly proclaiming, “Wow—what a ride!”

And that is how Carson lived.

Carson is survived by his beloved wife, Donna; his children, Furman Eddings, Whitney Eddings and Paul Eddings; and his three grandchildren, Carson, Taz and Rhett.

Carson passed away peacefully at home on September 16, 2026, with his dear Jack Russell terrier, Bogie, napping nearby.

One thing Carson did not like was funerals. He was a man for the living and believed in visiting people while they were still alive and sharing a story and a libation. Or two.

In fact, whenever visitors asked Carson how he was doing, he would always respond with a mischievous smile and say, “I’m still vertical and taking light refreshments.”

So, please join us to raise a glass in Carson’s honor on Thursday, October 1, from 1 to 4 p.m.at Atlantic Beach Farmhouse, 1175 Atlantic Blvd, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233.

Will there be champagne? Possibly.

Jack Daniel’s on the rocks with a lemon twist?

Count on it.

For those who would like to pay tribute to Carson, he would want you to pay it forward. Two organizations especially close to his heart were the North Florida School of Special Education and Jacksonville Beaches Young Life.