Phillip A. Carlson

Our consummate gardener and builder, and beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, Phil died peacefully Nov. 4, 2004, just days before his 89th birthday. Born in Axtell, Nebraska on Nov. 16, 1915, to Arthur and Ida Carlson, he married his high school sweetheart, Violette Mae Bloom, in 1940. Phil served proudly as Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II, returning home to his growing family and work as a young engineer. They moved with construction projects, living in Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa, eventually moving to Seattle where he became the General Manager of Peter Kiewitt?s Seattle District office. He was responsible for major building projects from Southern California to Alaska, including landmarks such as Seattle?s Kingdome, University of Washington Hospital, and Freeway Park, Los Angeles? Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and many sites in Alaska. He was active in and served as President of the Seattle Chapter of Associated General Contractors AGC.

Retiring in 1980, Phil found more time for his garden and cherished roses at home in Seattle?s north end and their treasured Rancho Mirage, California home where friends, children and grandchildren loved to visit. He loved too and was very active and generous to his Seattle church, Gethsemane Lutheran where he served many years on the church council; as well as to Hope Lutheran in Palm Desert.

Phil is survived by his loving wife Vi, with whom he recently celebrated 64 years of marriage; son C. Kent Carlson Sandra of Seattle, daughter Ann Bierer Lindsey of Poway, California; grandchildren Kristofer C. Carlson of Seattle, Phillip Erik Carlson of Los Angeles, California, Britt K. Carlson of Vail, Colorado, Craig Bierer Natalie of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and Carey Bierer Watson Chris of San Diego, California, two great grandchildren, Phillip and Lauren Bierer, his sister Marilyn Norman Don of Axtell, Nebraska, sister-in-law Vera Mae Carlson, and five nieces. He was preceded in death by his brother Leslie Carlson.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, November 13, 1:30 PM at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 911 Stewart Street, Seattle, WA 98101.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Associated General Contractors Education Foundation 1200 Westlake North, Seattle, WA 98109, or the charity of your choice.