David “Dave” Carlson, born April 12, 1942 in Waukesha, Wisconsin, went home to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ, on February 9, 2026. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his children, after a five-year battle with dementia. Even as dementia progressed, he amazingly always recognized the ones he loved.

Dave grew up in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, where his lifelong love of the outdoors first began. He was the youngest of six children born to Helen (Coleman) Carlson and Rudolph Carlson. He adored his mother deeply and carried that devotion throughout his life. A proud Wisconsin native, he remained a lifelong Green Bay Packers fan.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Rollo (June), Garith (Virginia), and Richard; and by his sister Betty (Joe). He is survived by his sister, Yvonne Crimmins, sister-in-law Joan, and many nieces and nephews who were close in age and whose friendships he treasured over the years.  

Dave proudly enlisted in the United States Air Force in May of 1961, just after turning 19 years old. He served as a photographer, attaining the rank of Airman First Class, and was honorably discharged in January of 1965. While stationed in Hawaii, he was spoiled by the privilege of taking aerial photographs of its breathtaking landscapes, an experience he cherished and spoke of often throughout his life.

After his service to our Country, he married and brought his wife and 2 year old son out of the snow in Wisconsin to sunny California, which became home in 1969 and where he raised his growing family. He also spent fifteen years living in Arizona later in life before ultimately returning to California, where he remained for the rest of his life to enjoy being close to his children and grandchildren.

In the prime of his life, Dave was active and adventurous. He enjoyed tennis, fishing, camping, golfing, skiing, hiking; his favorite hike was  the Grand Canyon with his daughter. He was a skilled bowler and a gifted photographer.

Music was woven into the fabric of who he was. He played the guitar regularly and even learned the banjo. He loved music, especially country music and he enjoyed singing. He played guitar and sang at a local country bar in the early 1980s. He was an avid reader and wrote songs and poetry and carried the heart of a traditional romantic.

Dave worked as a Maintenance Machinist, in book binderies, and the printing and photography industries that suited his interests and mechanical skills. 

He deeply loved animals and never stopped missing his beloved dogs, Teila and Tux, who passed many years before him but remained in his heart.

He is survived by his children: David (Emily), Daniel, and Laura (Frank),

and his cherished nine grandchildren: Krystal, Matthew, Chasen, Spencer, Mercy, Cassidy, Hannah, Kobey, and Riley.

Dave will be remembered for his love for his family, and for his love of music he fostered and passed along to his children and then grandchildren, and the refreshing gentlemanly, old-fashioned way he carried himself through life.

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