David Glen Carlson

1958 - 2018

David Glen Carlson
David G. Carlson, age 60, passed away in Naknek, Alaska on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 after suffering an allergic reaction to a medication. He was born on February 15, 1958 to Helen and Dorius Doyle Carlson in Anchorage, Alaska.
Dave was a proud Alaskan who grew up in a large family. He was the sixth of eight children who all shared a Carlson sense of humor. They told competed in wit and funny stories, and they loved pranking each other. A favorite prank was when the youngest sister switched out Dave's root beer for soy sauce!
Growing up in Alaska meant he got to work in his family's commercial fishing business. He learned welding, engineering, and mechanics from his father by designing and building their own commercial fishing boats. He later skippered his own boats each summer, hiring crews composed of friends and family. People loved working with "Uncle Dave". He was a patient teacher with high expectations who made time for fun.
Dave had tremendous skill in music. He sang and played multiple instruments in prestigious bands at Brigham Young University where he met and married Gayla Corbridge Carlson of American Falls, ID. They spent 30 years together, had four children, and lived in Utah, Alaska, and Idaho. While in Idaho, he worked as a video tech at Channel 12. Wherever they lived, Dave either joined or started a band. His children loved hearing him sing Ray Stevens songs with his 12-string guitar.
After Dave and Gayla's marriage ended, Dave married Anna Stewart Carlson in 2010 and they moved to Naknek, Alaska. They enjoyed their life there. Dave tendered in the summers and shared his mechanical skill and passion with students in the school year. Dave was a skilled and beloved teacher, musician, mechanic, family member, and friend. He will be remembered for his humor, music, wisdom, patience, and ingenuity.
David is survived by his wife, Anna Carlson, his mother, Helen Carlson, six of siblings, his children: Nathan, Valerie, Shaylynne, and Amy, their mother, Gayla, and his grandchildren: Kaedon and Russell. Memorial services will be held on Monday, May 14 in Kenai, Alaska.