Cecil J. Carlson

Cecil Judson Carlson, formerly of Essex, Iowa passed into the arms of his Savior on December 21, 2014 at the age of 94 in Norman, Oklahoma. He was born on July 3, 1920 in Reynolds, Nebraska to Carl J. Carlson and Blanche Mae (Stinemates) Carlson. Before graduating Essex High School, Cecil met the love of his life, Marvis Irene Parker. They later married on June 8, 1941. He was very proud of his three sons. He loved his family dearly and cared for them throughout his life. Cecil proudly served his country in World War II. As a pilot of a C-47 "Gooneybird" aircraft, he flew missions over the Himalayan Mountains in India, Burma and China. His membership in the American Legion continued throughout his lifetime. For many years, Cecil and Marvis owned and operated three lumberyards in southwest Iowa. He was very involved in serving his Essex community. He served on the Town Council and as a president of the school board. After selling the lumberyards, he and his wife moved to Atlantic, Iowa and then to Tucson Arizona where he was a construction inspector for Farmer's Home Administration. Throughout his life he was active in the Evangelical Covenant Church in bot...[more]

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ssex and Tucson. Always happy to meet people, Cecil made many friends wherever he lived. He enjoyed playing golf as well as hunting and fishing. Working with his hands either building something new or repairing something broken brought him great pleasure and satisfaction. Preceding Cecil in death were his wife; parents; and a sister, Geneva Tucker. Survivors include his three sons, Gerald Carlson and wife Barbra of Norman, OK, Gene Carlson and wife Kathy of Des Moines, IA, Richard Carlson and wife Pat of Mount Vernon, IL; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; two sisters, Donna Taylor of Napa, CA and Shirley Merrill of Granbury, TX; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Essex Faith Covenant Church, the Salvation Army or the Wounded Warrior Project. Burial will be held in the Essex Cemetery in Essex, Iowa with full military honors accorded by the Shenandoah American Legion Post #88.