Ray Mason Carson

Died: Nov. 16, 2008

Ray Mason Carson, 80, of Greeneville, died Sunday at his home.

Mr. Carson was a retired U.S. Army colonel.

He attended St. James Episcopal Church.

His family provided the following statement: "He passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Nov. 16, after a courageous battle with cancer.

"Mr. Carson was a career military officer with 30 years of service who retired at the rank of full colonel.

"He was born Oct. 7, 1928, in Charlotte, N.C., and was a son of the late Felix and Sarah Carson. He lived most of his early life in Washington, D.C.

"Mr. Carson began his military career in 1950 when he joined the U.S. Air Force. He transferred to the U.S. Army in 1952 to attend Officer Candidate School, graduating as a second lieutenant.

"While crossing the Pacific on the USN James O'Hara, he met his future wife Mary Wells. He was on his way to the Korean War, and she was going to Japan to work for the U.S. Army. After serving in the Korean War as a combat engineer, he was stationed to Japan, where he married Ms. Wells.

"They returned to the United States and were assigned to Fort Rucker, Ala., where he attended flight school to become a helicopter aviator in 1955. They also celebrated the birth of their son, Ray Jr., the same year, while stationed at Fort Benning, Ga.

"The Carsons were then assigned to Stuttgart, Germany, where their daughter Leslie was born in 1959. Other assignments included Fort Meade, Md., and Fort Houston in San Antonio, Texas.

"In 1967, he completed Command General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., then served as an Aviation Battalion Commander in the Vietnam conflict and participated in the Tet Offensive and the siege of Khe Shan.

"Further assignments included Hawaii, Fort Douglas, Utah, and White Sands, N.M.

"His military awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star, three Legions of Merit, seven Air Medals, Korean Service Medal with two battle stars and the Vietnam Service Medal with four battle stars.

"He retired from the Army in 1978 and worked 13 years as the Director of Public Works for Broward County Fla.

"Ray and Mary Carson moved to Greeneville in 1993, and he continued to be active in numerous volunteer and humanitarian organizations.

"He was a member and past president of the Greeneville Exchange Club and Greeneville Breakfast Exchange Club. He was past director of the Tennessee District Exchange Club.

"He received the Exchangite of the Year award in 1999 and 2006 as well as the coveted Book of Golden Deeds award in 2004 for his work to establish the Child Advocacy Center of the Third Judicial District in Mosheim and his tireless efforts with the Greeneville-Greene County Humane Society. Mr. Carson was a board member with both organizations.

"He served as chairman of the Hugh Felts Memorial Scholarship Committee, which awards two scholarships per year to outstanding Greeneville High School students, as well as being a primary organizer of the Greeneville Christmas Parade.

"Colonel Carson was a courageous and caring person who always put service to his country and the needs of others first. His kindness and tireless efforts to help others made a positive difference in many lives."

He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Mary Frances Carson, who died March 11 of this year.

Survivors include a son: Ray M. Carson Jr. of Gainesville, Fla.; a daughter: Leslie Carson Marlowe of New Port Richie, Fla.; five grandchildren: Chris Carson, Mark Carson, Stacey Marlowe, Vlad Marlowe, and Vera Marlowe; a brother: Berkley Carson of Port Orange, Fla.; three sisters: Lucille Woodard of Reedville, Va., Joyce Kereszturi of Millsboro, Del., and Marilyn Beach of Timonium, Mo.; numerous nieces and nephews; and four "loving caregivers who supported him and his family during his final months": Linda Justice, Kelly McGuire, Collen McCain, and Pat Gosnell, all of Greeneville.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Friday at Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home.

The funeral service will be held at 1 o'clock Saturday afternoon at St. James Episcopal Church. The Rev. Carolyn Isley will officiate.

Interment will be held at 3 p.m. Jan. 23, 2009, in Arlington National Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Jon McCain, Tom Justice, John Duggins, Sam Doak, James Smith, Ed Dorr, and Charlie Worley.

Honorary pallbearers will be Linda Justice, Colleen McCain, Kelly McGuire, Pat Gosnell, Phillip Long, Dr. Phillip Thwing, and the staff of Caris Healthcare.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Child Advocacy Center of the Third Judicial District, 200 Main St., Mosheim, TN 37818, or to the Greeneville-Greene County Humane Society, 950 Hal Henard Road, P.O. Box 792, Greeneville, TN 37744.

Condolences may be sent to the Carson family online at www.MeM.com