Gary Wallace Carson

Gary W. Carson, beloved husband, father, musician, pilot, boilermaker, and proud combat veteran, passed away peacefully at the Seattle Veterans Hospital, surrounded by the love of his wife and three children.

Gary was born in a displaced persons camp in Kaprun, Austria, on March 3, 1946. His parents were World War II survivors. His father, Sgt. Gordon F. Carson, was an American paratrooper who fought through Europe with Easy Company 2nd Battalion, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne Division. His mother, Antonia Puchalski, a devout Roman Catholic woman from Warsaw, Poland. She survived three years in a German slave labor camp before being freed by American soldiers and placed in a DP camp in Austria. Gary’s parents met, fell in love, and married in Kaprun in October 1945. Gary arrived in the U.S. through Ellis Island later in 1946 aboard the USS Tyler, a decommissioned destroyer escort carrying war brides and their families.

He grew up in Bellingham, where his early years were filled with model airplanes, go-kart trails, muscle cars, and his first love—music. A self-taught guitarist and keyboard player, he performed at local dances with his older brother Rich. It is also where his Catholic faith was rooted from his mothers influence, attending Catholic school and sometimes finding himself the wrong side of a nuns ruler. His passion for aviation also began here, although his initial attempts to report a UAP sighting at the local airfield were met with dismissal, Gary knew just about every airplane at the time because of his love and study of aircraft.. As a teenager, his adventurous spirit led him to join the Army at 17. He served as a combat engineer with the 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam and later was stationed near Berlin for a time after deployment. His father Gordy was also in Germany during that time for his career. They toured Battlefields in Europe where Gary’s father fought. One of his most treasured memories was when he was able to see the place where he was born, Kaprun.

After returning to the U.S., Gary pursued his love of flying, earning his pilot’s license at Manhattan Flight School in Kansas. An experienced pilot with thousands of hours, he even survived a plane crash and several close calls. He worked at Galvin Flying and famously fueled his 1963 Corvette Stingray on the flight line with aviation-grade gasoline when he could. His Corvette symbolized his success as a professional musician for over 20 years, touring across the country and playing thousands of paid gigs. Starting with rock and roll from the 1950s, his style evolved into jazz and funk. Known as a musician’s musician, Gary shared the stage with legends such as Jimi Hendrix, the Johansen brothers, and local guitarist Rich Dangel of The Fabulous Wailers, who was his best man. He played in many bands and sessions over those years. His final band, The Silver Funks, gave him endless joy and laughter as they perfected their sound and played together weekly.

Gary met Marcela (Marci) at the famous Parkers Ballroom, then called Aquarius Ballroom, and they were inseparable for the next 45 years. He often told his doctors, “Marci is my advisor, and she has never led me wrong.” Together, they raised three children: Gary, Maria, and Kyle. Later, Gary traded his guitar for a welder’s torch, working for decades at Todd Shipyard alongside his boilermaker colleagues. He ended his career as shop steward and took great pride in advocating for his fellow workers. He also created the well-loved Carson Christmas Parties, spreading joy to hundreds over the years.

Gary, Marci and his children took great pride attending Easy Company “Band of Brothers” reunions over the years. Gary was the “First born” of the children of Easy company veterans. The reunions took them all over the country to be able to spend time with the veterans and families that his father served with and share stories. Those reunions still occur to this day with the children of the vets carrying on the tradition and memories.

In retirement, Gary’s greatest joy was becoming a grandfather. Known as Papa or “Papasaurus,” he was always there for his grandchildren Violet, Sofia, and James, sharing his love of Bigfoot, UFOs, and music during every visit.

Gary will be deeply missed, but he lived a remarkable, full life. The care he received from the VA hospital during his battle with cancer was honorable and dignified. His warrior spirit inspired everyone who knew him. We know he's now at peace in Heaven.

He was preceded in death by His Father, Mother and Stepmother, his siblings Richard and Suzane. He is survived by his wife Marcela; sons Gary (Lauren) and Kyle; daughter Maria; grandchildren Violet, Sofia, and James; siblings Edward, Antoinette, Christine, Cathy, and Karen.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, September 29th at 11:00 AM at Assumption Catholic Church, located at 6201 33rd Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98115—the same church where Gary and Marci were married in 1980. A reception will follow immediately in the church hall. Tahoma Military Honors Burial will take place at a later date; details will be shared once available.