Victor LaMarr Carlson

RICHMOND, UTAH V. LaMarr CarlsonOn the beautiful afternoon of Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, Victor LaMarr Carlson, surrounded by family, left his mortal body. His passing, though difficult, leaves us with joyous memories of laughter and love. He was known for his exceptional wit, his tireless ability to work, and shameless bragging about his sons and grandchildren. His loving sweetheart is Donna Phillips Carlson. They met at the Persiana Dance Hall in Preston, Idaho. He loved her from the moment he first saw her. They were married on June 15, 1946 and were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple.Among Dad's gifts was bringing out the best in young people. The boys he served as scoutmaster still cherish the memories. He loved fishing. There have been many Snake River whitewater rafters surprised by an old man going by in his row boat.He was born to Victor August Carlson and Eva Leona Hansen on Nov. 18, 1923, in Richmond, Utah. He served his country in the Army in the Philippines during World War II. Though busted to Private many times for being AWOL, his intelligence and leadership skills quickly resulted in restoration of rank to First Sergeant. He provided military guard service and was part of the small party that accepted the Japanese surrender to World War II in the Philippines. He did several things in his career. He worked as a butcher in Clearfield, a machinist at Seagull Milk in Richmond, where he developed the means to move cans by air earning his supervisor a new car. He retired from EDL, now the Space Dynamics Laboratory, where he was a machine shop foreman with exceptional aptitudes in blue print enhancements and building precision high tech parts.He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Jean Carlson Johnson, his infant grandson Mark, and his cherished friend Dick Tripp. He is survived by his wife, Donna, of Richmond; his sons, Richard (Donna Spackman) Carlson of West Valley City, Utah; Wayne (Lois Suisse) Carlson of Richmond; Monte (Denise Rasmussen) Carlson of Logan, Utah; and Morgan (Karen Thompson) Carlson of North Logan, Utah. He has 23 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren. His grandsons, Victor, Kevin, and Jared Carlson are currently serving missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Growing up in the Great Depression poverty and experiencing the horrors of war, Dad learned to survive by ingenuity and hard work. He believed that being miserable or happy is a choice. He lived by these principles and taught them to his posterity. We will no longer have to worry about Dad shoveling snow off the roof or tying himself to a ladder to paint. But, we will miss him terribly.Funeral services will be held on Friday, Sept. 12, 2008, at the Richmond Stake Center, 135 W. Main, Richmond, with Bishop Mick Stokes conducting. Friends may call Thursday from 6-8:30 p.m. at the stake center and Friday from 10-11:30 a.m. also at the stake center. Condolences and memories may be sent to the family at www.webbmortuary.comMilitary rites and interment will be in the Richmond Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Webb Funeral Home of Preston.