Carl Wesley Carson

Carl Wesley (Wes) Carson died on August 2, 2023, at The Forest at Duke, Durham, North Carolina.

Wes is survived by his wife of 60 years, Carol; two daughters, Cathryn Carson (son-in-law Timothy Herron) and Caryn Carson (son-in-law Brian Gaddy); grandchildren Rowan Herron and David Wesley Herron; brother John Carson; sister Coralee Carson Kuhn; and several nieces and nephews.

He was born in Newark, New Jersey, on January 28, 1936, and grew up in Little Falls, New Jersey. He graduated from Drew University with a B.A., the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy with an M.A., and George Washington University with a Juris Doctor (with honors). Wes served three years in the U.S. Army and 31 years in the Federal civil service, including assignments in the U.S. Departments of Commerce (international trade and investment policy), Transportation (aviation forecasting), and Defense (environmental programs).

Before moving to Durham in 2010, Wes and Carol lived in the Washington, D.C., area. For 15 years he served as a volunteer at Iona Senior Services in Washington, D.C., where he helped found an early Alzheimer’s activities group and was on the organization’s board. In 2010, he received Iona’s LoveCareHope Award in recognition of his contributions. He gave himself in service in many ways and over many years to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), including as deacon and ruling elder. He found meaning in contributing to The Forest at Duke community, notably by his leadership of volunteer activities in the Health and Wellness Center.

Wes possessed an intuitive sense of how to help, enable, and support his extended family. He believed in the value of showing up, and throughout his life he showed up for family, friends, and others in need.

Wes enjoyed travel, especially expedition travel. He visited all 50 states and over 100 countries on all seven continents; he sought out all 17 species of penguins.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, Durham, at 2:00 p.m. on September 2, 2023, with a reception following in the church’s Watts-Hill Hall. The memorial service will be lived streamed: https://youtube.com/live/LsW3ehnT1kc . Arrangements are being handled by Hall-Wynne of Durham. Memorials may be made to the Sarcoma Foundation of America.