Gustaf Eugene Carlson's Obituary
In remembrance of a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, friend and community leader. Gustaf E. Carlson passed on Thursday, February 11, 2010, surrounded by loving family and friends, at his home in Tacoma, Washington. If a person could count their wealth by the number of lives they had touched, Gus died a very wealthy man.
He was born July 31, 1934 in Tacoma, Washington and was proud of his life-long residency in the greater Tacoma area. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gust and Anna Carlson; his siblings Reardon and Frank Carlson, Eileen Teutscher, Cia Dawson and Janice Hetch.
Gus joined the U.S. Navy in 1951 and retired as a Chief Petty Officer from the U.S. Naval Reserves in 1983. He also spent 30 plus years working for Clover Park School District before retiring in 1992. Gus took great pride in working for the betterment of his community. He was an integral member of the South East (Optimist) Athletic Association which purchased the land and built a recreation center currently known as the South End Neighborhood Center. He was an officer in the Tacoma Southeast Lions Club which was responsible for many fundraising endeavors. Gus was also known and respected for his work with the Pierce County Democratic Party and Tacoma City Council. His passion in life was auto racing; he sponsored local drivers at Spanaway and Tenino Speedways, participated in local push car associations and was a member of NASCAR.
Gus is survived by his soul mate, Nadine Carlson of Tacoma, daughter Sheryl Hammons and her husband Michael, of Tacoma; daughter Linda Dykstra and her husband Carl, of Yelm; son Gustaf R. Carlson and his wife Deborah, of Normandy Park. He is also survived by his 6 grandchildren: Peter and Joshua Dykstra, Kenny and Jimmy Hammons, and Ryan and Britney Carlson.
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