Chester Eugene Carlson, Sr

Chester Eugene Carlson, Sr. October 11, 1918 October 10, 2014 Chester Eugene Carlson, Sr., went to be with his heavenly Father on October 10, 2014. Interment will be at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 14, at Oakwood Cemetery. His Celebration of Life service will be 1:00 p.m. at Austin Avenue United Methodist Church with Rev. Tim Jarrell officiating. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Monday, October 13, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey. He was born on October 11, 1918, to V .G. and Dixie Bergstrom Carlson. He attended Thrall ISD for all of his public school education, graduating as Valedictorian. He attended business school in Houston. He enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served in the Signal Corp for five years, attaining the rank of Captain. He remained in the Reserves for a period of time. He completed his BBA degree from Baylor in 1955. He and his brother-in-law, Bill Brown, had a partnership in a candy wholesale business for ten years, after which he worked as an accountant for Mosley Machinery Company. He began working for First Federal Savings and Loan in 1965 and completed twenty-five years of service, retiring as a Senior Vice-President. He was a fifty-year Mason and a fifty-year member of Waco Founders Lions Club where he held several offices, including president. He served as president of the Baylor/Waco Foundation in 1977. He was a member of Austin Avenue United Methodist Church for over sixty-seven years. His involvement there included Sunday School Superintendent, Chairman of the Official Board, treasurer and president of the Friendship Sunday School Class. He married Florence Carlson in Taylor, Texas on July 19, 1946. They were blessed with three wonderful children. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Edna Brown and her husband, Bill; his brother, V.G. Carlson, Jr.; his daughter, Diana Lynn Carlson McQuerry; his niece, Jeanne Brown Parsons; and his nephews, Billy Brown and Donald Carlson. He is survived by his wife of sixty-eight years; son, Chester E. Carlson, Jr., and wife, Donna, of Borger, Texas; daughter, Stephanie Sue Hansen of Lorena; son-in-law, James McQuerry of Boulder, Colorado, and former son-in-law, Kirk Hansen; sister-in-law, Elva Rhea Carlson; his grandchildren, Shawn McQuerry, Kelli McQuerry Kubala and husband, Kenny, of Boulder, Colorado, Lance Carlson and wife, Elizabeth, of Amarillo, Texas, and Tyler Hansen of Lorena; step-grandchildren, Heath Kirk and Karrie, Cory Kirk and wife, Kellie, of Borger; great-grandchildren, Karl and Adam Kubala of Boulder, Kade and Piper Lily Carlson of Amarillo; step-great grandchildren Kamren, Autumn, Molly, Makayla, and Daegan Kirk of Borger, Texas; nieces, Gail Anderson and husband, Jerry, of Austin, and Sandy Evans and husband, Bill, of Knoxville, Tennessee; and nephew, Robert Carlson of Austin. Gratitude is given to Dr. Bond Browder, the Home Based Primary Care of the VA, the Southern Care Hospice of Waco, his devoted caregivers, Muhammed Mboge, Minnie and Earl Thompson and numerous prayer warriors. Honorary pallbearers are members of the Friendship Class, The First Federal Savings and Loan Family, the Waco Founder Lions Club, and Dr. Bond Browder. Chester was known for his sincere prayers. He treasured his God, perfection and loyalty. He loved little children and encouraged all ages. He was quiet but when he spoke, one would listen. One of his favorite scriptures was: Phil 4:17 "I can do all things in Him who strengthens me. His mealtime prayer: "Thank you, precious Heavenly Father, for giving us another day to live in and to use. May we do both in a way that meets with your approval. We love You. We thank You for Your precious loving care. Bless this food and help us stay strong that we may serve you better. We pray in the precious name of Jesus. Amen and Amen." Memorials may be made to the Chester E. Carlson Endowed Scholarship Fund in Accounting, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97026, Waco, Texas 76798-7026, Austin Avenue United Methodist Church or any charity of choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WHBfamily.com