Edward Elmer Carlson

Ed was born on March 22, 1928, to Elmer and Grace Carlson in Seattle and grew up on Queen Anne. He attended elementary and high school on Queen Anne, and was a lifelong QA High Grizzlies fan. After high school he enlisted in the Army and served as a medical and surgical technician stationed at The Presidio in San Francisco, CA. Once discharged he entered the University of Washington (UW) studying education, and that is where he met his future wife, Joan. He developed a love of the outdoors while working during summer breaks in the Olympic National Park as a fire guard and on trail crews.

Ed and Joan married in 1952 after graduation from the UW and moved to Ed’s first teaching job in Moxee, WA. Ed spent the great majority of his teaching career in Richland, WA at Columbia High School (now Richland High) and at the Hanford K-12 School (now Hanford High). Over the years he taught Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Health, and Biology in Jr. and Sr. High classrooms. During many of his teaching years he also taught Drivers Education in the summers. He also served as the Director of the Mid-Columbia Regional Science Fair for 15 years. Ed retired in 1986 following the sudden loss of much of his eyesight.

While in Richland Ed and Joan enjoyed the arrival of son Jeffrey in 1962, and daughter Andrea in 1964. They also enjoyed boating on the Columbia River and occasionally trailering to other Northwest locations with local boaters. His life outdoors continued during many family outings at vacation property in the Oregon Blue Mountains.

After retiring, Ed and Joan moved back to western WA settling on several acres in Coupeville on Whidbey Island. They designed their own home and Ed had plenty of outdoor space for projects over the years. Ed and Joan continued their boating adventures from Oak Harbor and Anacortes, and also traveled the continental US, by car, visiting 47 of the 48 lower states.

Joan predeceased him in 2009. Ed remained in Coupeville enjoying their home until a few years ago when he moved to assisted living. He continued to enjoy the outdoors and always had stories to recall for those around him.

Ed is survived by daughter Andrea, son Jeffrey, daughter-in-law Jennifer, and granddaughter Rayna. Ed will be laid to rest with his Joanie in a family service at Mt Pleasant Cemetery on Queen Anne in Seattle. The family would like to thank the Genesee Senior Care Home in West Seattle for their expertise and the loving care provided to our dad/grandpa these past 6 months. Donations in remembrance may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and/or the Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation (WAIF) in Island County.