April 06, 1921 - September 24, 2009
Herbert Milton Carlson Obituary
(Age 88)
Passed away Thursday, September 24 at the Spokane Veterans Home. Herb was born in Spokane on April 6, 1921 to Carl William and Gunhild Marie Carlson. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother Stanley William Carlson of Lynnwood, WA. Mr. Carlson attended Roosevelt Elementary, Lewis and Clark High School and Gonzaga University. During his high school years, Herb joined the National Guard as an inactive member and was activated into the U.S. Army on September 16, 1940 into Company B, 161st Infantry. Herb was awarded both the Bronze and Silver Stars. After injuries received in combat on Guadalcanal, he was discharged and returned to Spokane where he married the love of his life, Mary Ester Chesurin. He is survived in life by his wife of 65 years; daughter Marilynn Hoff (Ronald); granddaughters Kimberly Gilbertson (Brent) and Allison Peterson (Kurt); and great-granddaughter Cameron Peterson. Herb had a long and successful career with Standard Oil Company of California(Chevron) starting out as Station Manager and rising to the executive ranks before retiring and embarking on an active retirement. He joined the staff of Bob McCaslin Real Estate. Seeing a need for a more attractive way to market real estate property, Herb founded Real Estate Sign Company. In 1986, Herb embarked on a new endeavor to bring down the rising water rates in his area. Herb served as co-chairman of the Spokane citizens committee spearheading the formation of the Spokane County Water District #3. He was elected to the position of Water Commissioner for which he has served until recently. Herb loved hunting, fishing, boating, wood working and a weekly round of golf for many years. He particularly loved teaching his granddaughters Kimberly and Allison to water ski and Allison the fine art of fishing. As a proud grandpa, he attended many a Scottish Highland Dance competition and ballet performance to cheer on great-grandchildren. He recently met his first great-grandchild, Cameron, who immediately put new sparkle in his deep blue eyes. Herb leaves behind a legacy of love of God, his country and his family as well his many friends. Visitation Tuesday, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at Heritage. A Funeral Mass is scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 304 South Adams Road, Spokane Valley. Graveside service will follow at Riverside Memorial Park at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations on behalf of Herbert Carlson be made to the Spokane Veterans Home, 222 East Fifth Avenue, Spokane, WA or SCRAPS (Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service), 2521 North Flora Road,Spokane Valley, WA.
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