Rev. Dr. George William Carlson

The Rev. Dr. George W. Carlson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, died peacefully at his San Diego home surrounded by family on November 13, 2011. He was the son of Carl Oscar and Anna Victoria Carlson, immigrants from Sweden. He was always grateful for his Swedish heritage. Born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, George was baptized and confirmed in First Lutheran Church. He graduated from East High School in June 1945 and in July enlisted in the U.S. Navy, joining his two older brothers in serving our country in World War II. After his discharge he began his college studies at Drake University in Des Moines. Feeling the call to the Lutheran ministry, he transferred to Augustana College, Rock Island, IL, where he met his future partner-in-the-gospel, Marlyss Lavonne Johnson. They were married on June 4, 1949, in Albert City, Iowa. George graduated from Augustana in 1950 and that fall enrolled in Augustana Seminary, Rock Island, IL. After four years of religious studies, George was ordained in the Augustana Evangelical Lutheran Church on June 20, 1954. He began his career as a parish pastor in Riverside, CA as the Mission Developer and Pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Cross. He then served as the Senior Pastor of First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, IA from 1965 through 1982. He concluded his thirty-five years of parish ministry as Senior Pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, San Diego, CA. Following his retirement in 1990, George became the founder and CEO of Pacific Media Ministry, a faith-based venture in San Diego whose mission was to uplift values, ethics and faith in the media. He led the production of one-hundred fifty MIDPOINT television programs that aired nationally on the Faith and Values Cable Channel. A faithful servant filled with God's grace, George's ministry was characterized by creative leadership, dynamic preaching and a shepherding heart. Throughout his life, he chose to make a difference in his community, this nation and around the world. His efforts were recognized with the award of the Honorary Doctorate from Augustana College, Rock Island, IL; the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, IL; and the Alumni Award for Community Service from Augustana College. The San Diego Mayor and City Council declared March 11, 2003, as "Pastor George Carlson Day". His commitment to ecumenical and social justice efforts was reflected in his service on numerous boards and committees of the Augustana Lutheran Church, the Lutheran Church in America and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It included tenures as President of the Riverside-San Bernardino Council of Churches and President of Lutheran Social Services of Iowa. He was selected National Chairperson of the LCA Hunger Committee and Secretary of the U.S.A. National Committee of the Lutheran World Federation. He also served as Chairperson of the U.S.A. Mission-Service-Development Committee of the Lutheran World Federation. His commitment to world mission led to many travels including memorable trips with parishioners to Japan, Bangladesh, Africa and South America. George's passion for sharing the gospel was integrated with his passion for family. Marlyss and George's relationships with their children and grandchildren were at the heart of their life together. From large family gatherings to simple walks on the beach, each encounter brought them great joy. With unlimited zest and love, they dedicated their life together to celebrating the now. Although fully committed to his ministry, he knew how to relax and enjoy life's pleasures. A lover of the ocean, he relished his time on the California beaches, including his family's annual sojourn from Cedar Rapids to Carlsbad every July. He especially loved sailing, whether guiding a Hobie catamaran off a Carlsbad beach or serving as the captain of the Jazzbird in San Diego Bay and the waters of the Pacific. He used his carpenter skills to build cradles for his grandchildren. He also was an ardent sports fan who faithfully and enthusiastically supported his children and grandchildren's sports activities from the Washington Warriors to the Luther College Norsemen to the University of Colorado Buffaloes. His love of baseball, football and basketball made him a regular, along with Marlyss, at the San Diego Padre, Charger and Aztec games. An avid golfer since high school, George thoroughly enjoyed his tee time with friends and family each week on many courses, including his favorites through the years: the Cedar Rapids Country Club, Torrey Pines, Coronado and an unforgettable 18 holes at St. Andrews, Scotland in 1986. George cherished spending time with his family, friends and colleagues. Whether strumming his ukulele over a campfire, leading a group of carolers through the Iowa snow, walking through the Swedish woods with his cousin Bengt and family, or leading the Easter Sunrise Service on the beach at the foot of Law Street, he valued all of the relationships that God blessed him with in life. George was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Junior, Harry and Arnold. He is survived by his dearly loved partner-in-the-gospel of 62 years, Marlyss; his five children: Cathy Bohman, Mike Carlson, Greg Carlson, Sue Stack and Mary Carlson; his son-in-laws: HR Bohman, Rob Stack and Tim Ziegler; Nancy Nelson; Mary Matheson; his eleven grandchildren: Eisha Bohman; Erik Bohman and wife, Lesley; Elise, Annika and Emma Carlson; Mari Stack and fiancé, Kahler Low; Levi, Rubin and Olivia Stack; Anna and Louisa Carlson-Ziegler; and members of his extended family, friends and colleagues. A service in great celebration of George's life will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, 4761 Cass St, Pacific Beach, California on Saturday, November 19 at 3:00 p.m. A private inurnment will be held at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego and ashes will be scattered at sea. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given in George's honor to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's World Hunger Appeal or to the Third Avenue Charitable Organization (an outreach ministry at First Lutheran Church-San Diego for homeless and underserved people). All checks should be made to "First Lutheran Church" with memo line either "ELCA" or "TACO" and mailed to First Lutheran Church, 1420 3rd Avenue, San Diego, 92101.