Lee Byrne Carlson

Lee Byrne Carlson Born on July 1, 1928 in Provo, Utah, the sixth child of Stella and Carl Carlson. He entered into Christ August 9, 2007, after a long struggle with congestive heart failure, surrounded by his family at his home in San Bruno. Lee had an interesting life. Raised during the Depression, he always said he guessed they were poor, but his father had a garden and they always had food to eat. He left school early and had a series of jobs including time spent as a ranch hand in Eastern Oregon. When old enough, he joined the US Navy, serving in San Diego and Guam. After being discharged from the Navy, Lee worked for a short time in Los Angles then moved to San Francisco. He found his way into the Machinists Union and worked as a journeyman machinist for over 30 years. As a young man, Lee joined the Gateswingers at the Central YMCA, where he became friends with some of the finest people you could every want to meet. It is a bond that remains to this day. He may have met up with some of them already and they are dancing in Heaven. Through the Gateswingers he met Enid Allen. They were married in 1960. Their family welcomed Glenn Andrew Carlson in 1966. The apartment in San Francisco quickly got to small and in 1967 the little family moved to San Bruno. In 1968 they were joined by Elaine Marie, and the family seemed complete. When the children were small Enid was diagnosed with ALS and passed away September 1, 1972 leaving Lee a single father with two dearly loved children. At a church picnic in late September 1977, Lee started talking to Anne Clark. It took a little prodding by various church members. Their first date was January 18, 1978 and that was all it took. There were united in marriage September 30, 1978 in Berkeley and the family was once again complete. After a gentle suggestion from Anne, Lee asked a co-worker how to become a Mason. That was all it took. Lee joined Blue Lakes Lodge, San Bruno, April 25, 1978 and after that there was no stopping him. He served as master of the Lodge in 1987 and 1988 and again as master of Coastside Lodge in Pacifica in 2006. Lee was a member of King Solomon's Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, California Council, Golden Gate Commandry and California Commandry, San Francisco Priory, Knights of the York Cross of Honor, Allied Masonic Degrees, York Rite College, Burlingame Bodies Scottish Rite, Asiya Shrine and Unity Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, where he was serving as Worthy Patron for the seventh time at the time of his death. Lee was also a member of the Golden Chordsmen, SPEBSQA, and the Galileo Gem Guild and longtime friend of Bill W. Lee had a varied career after his retirement. He was employed by Hertz, managed the Burlingame Masonic Center, drove a school bus and was a resident expert at Orchard Supply Hardware in Millbrae for five years until illness required his retirement. Married to a woman with wanderlust, Lee traveled extensively through the United States and Canada. In 2005, they went to the UK and Ireland. Lee's last big trip was in April of this year, traveling to London and France. The first week of June, he paid a farewell visit to Yosemite, saying goodbye to friends and places. He enjoyed a rich full life. He was a loving and well loved man. He leaves his bride of nearly 29 years, Anne; son, Glenn Carlson; daughter, Elaine Drosky and her partner Mark Welker; grandchildren, Monica, Rebecca, Rachel and Ryan; sisters, Norma Wahl and Lucille Evans; brother, Wallace Carlson; and more nieces, nephews and cousins that stars in the heavens. St. Peter may be scratching his head, but Heaven just got a little more interesting. Friends are invited to attend Lee's Funeral Service 5 P.M. Sunday, August 12th, 2007 at Bethany Presbyterian Church, 2400 Rosewood in San Bruno. Visitation at the Church will begin at 4 P.M. Private Interment will be in Sunset View Cemetery in El Cerrito, CA. Memorials in Lee's memory may be directed to Bethany Presbyterian Church, Mission Hospice or Unity Chapter Order of the Eastern Star. Arrangements entrusted to Skylawn San Bruno Funeral Home, San Bruno.