Eugene Edwin Carlson

Born on August 24, 1927 in Yakima, WA, he was a lifetime resident of this great town.

He was a devoted husband of 58 years to Alice Carlson, whom he met when he was 15. Soon after that, at the age of 17, Gene enlisted with the Navy and served in the South Pacific during WWII. Upon his return to the states, he married Alice, and together they developed 40 acres in the Ahtanum area into a thriving residential community, now commonly referred to as Carlson Acres. In 1964 they built a home on this property, where they raised their 3 sons and managed a cattle business. By the way, this was all happening in his spare time while he worked as a union carpenter - he was a proud member of Carpenters Local 770 for 62 years. He helped build Holy Family Church, and several schools, hospitals, and warehouses up and down the valley.

Gene was a very active supporter of his children's and grandchildren's sporting events, particularly wrestling, which was his favorite sport. Some of Gene's favorite pastimes were hunting - he was a particularly skilled elk hunter - and he enjoyed horseback riding and working rodeos where he was a wild cow mugger. He was a charter member of the Tampico Saddle Club.

He was also a country music fan. Gene and Alice travelled multiple times to Nashville. On one of those trips, he even made his own vocal recording. Gene LOVED to sing and was fondly referred to by his friends as "The Singing Swede".

What we remember the most about him, though, was his affinity for western snap-up shirts. Did you ever see him wear anything else? Looking good, Gene!

Gene is survived by his three sons: Shane (Jennifer), Scott (Teresa), and Sid, his five grandchildren: Nathan, Justin, Angela, Katrina, and Jessica, and his first great-grandchild: Brayden.

Visitation will be 4-8 P.M. Thursday May 19, 2011. Please join us for a Funeral Service at 1:00 PM on Friday, May, 20 at the Keith & Keith 9th Avenue Chapel, 902 W. Yakima Avenue, with burial to follow at West Hills Memorial Park; 11800 Douglas Rd. Keith and Keith Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.