Eugene E. Carlson

Gene Carlson was the third of four children born to a Swedish pile driver and construction foreman, Nels Johan Carlson, and an Irish school teacher turned artist, Margaret Evelyn Slater. His parents were the children of immigrants from Sweden and Ireland. Gene strongly identified with his family and cultural background and was known to sip the Irish on St. Patrick’s Day or to tell stories in Swedish, even though he was the only one who spoke it. A child of the Great Depression, Gene along with his older brother, Jack, his sister, Evelyn (Tony) and baby brother, Glen were raised in a small two-bedroom house in White Center (West Seattle, Washington). It was a time when families made do–the boys slept in the attic or above the garage. “Waste Not Want Not” was a heavily ingrained trait. Even in better times, Gene was known to squeeze a nickel, a trait that has been passed down throughout the family. His mother’s love of music and art is still strong among the Carlson Clan descendants. Gene played in the West Seattle Drum and Bugle Corp, could carry a tune and was a gifted artist who could draw a great caricature or carve an intricate totem. Gene attended Holy Family Catholic School and graduated from Highline High (Go, Pirates!) in 1943. He played football and, he would remind us, was an altar boy. He was a good and loyal friend, remaining close to his boyhood buddies, the Duncans, and their families throughout his lifetime. He and his friends enlisted just after high school and he served out WWII in the Navy as a Radio Technician on the USS Olympus. The Duncans were also instrumental in Gene’s later acquiring the “Beach” property near Poulsbo, which was to become the source of many childhood memories for his kids and grandkids. In high school, he was a shy guy, but developed an extended group of close friends. He was always the first to tear up and had a sense of humor that would just catch you with his wit. He was a lifelong reader, crossword puzzler and history buff. He could recite events and dates that would make a professor’s head spin and yet was always up to date with current events and the latest NY Times bestseller. Through his life, he worked as a pile driver, fisherman, construction worker and as an engineering technician at Boeing for over 30 years. He was a sports fan and in recent years; one would often catch him watching the Mariners, a Seahawks game or his beloved Huskies. Gene was fortunate to share his life with three beautiful and strong women. He met Bettylea Prouty, a single mom from Iowa, in the Seattle bar where she waitressed. They married in 1951 and, at that juncture, he became the father of Steve Barlow, raising him as his own. From this relationship came second son, Chris Carlson in 1953 and daughter, Karen in 1957. Gene and Betty moved to the Renton area and they raised their family there. In 1988, just after declaring early retirement at 63, Gene lost his first wife to cancer after 37 years. The family rallied around Dad during Mom’s illness and passing. It was the support of his friends that encouraged him to reconnect with high school friend, Phyllis (Susie) Thomson Scott and, in 1990, they married and located to her home on Lake Washington. They loved the lake, boating, parties, and travel; they had a 12-year marriage until her passing in 2002. Betty (Beverly) Hughes Hofmann, a classmate of Gene’s and close friend to Phyllis, literally came to Gene’s rescue following his second wife’s death. Together they built a life together; enjoyed playing cards, travel, sports and watching their respective families grow. They supported and cared for one another at her home in Des Moines, Washington, until moving to Bonaventure of Lacey in 2012. Gene passed away on August 13, 2015, leaving behind three children, seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. In April of this year (2015), Gene celebrated his 90th with an enchilada fiesta, surrounded by family. Wearing a funny hat, he stood with his two brothers (sister, Evelyn died in 1989) and harmonized as we sang him Happy Birthday. He was greeted by kids, step kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews. It was good to reflect on his long journey surrounded by those he loved and who loved him. Please leave memories of Gene or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.