Dennis M. Carlson

July 23, 1959 to June 30, 2020

Dennis Michael Carlson was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 23, 1959. He attended elementary and high school there and then at age 18, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Dennis was an Amphibious Assault Vehicle mechanic in the Corps which he enjoyed, and was honorably discharged at the end of his enlistment.

After the military he worked various jobs in Southern California. In 1983 Dennis moved with friends to Vail, Colorado, where he started his long career in the water treatment industry. He was in the Mountain Services department for Vail Associates where he supervised systems at Vail, Beaver Creek, and Arrowhead Mountains. Through work connections he met his wife Carrie, and they married in Vail.

Eventually they had their daughter which was the ultimate joy of Dennis’s life. Dennis’s family then moved to Grand Junction, Colorado, in 1994 after starting Microsearch Laboratory with his wife. In addition to the laboratory he worked at Clifton Water District, and Ute Water District for many years. He medically retired in 2017 from Ute Water due to a rare heart condition.

During his healthy years, Dennis had many hobbies he enjoyed with his wife and daughter, including telemark skiing, geocaching, hiking, trips to Lake Powell, and most importantly, doing professional firework shows around Colorado.

He was a man of humor and wit. Dennis always made you laugh and was cheerful and lighthearted, with a gentle and kind disposition. He enjoyed helping people, and “problem solving” mechanical and computer malfunctions.

He is terribly missed by all who knew and loved him. To know Dennis was to Love Dennis!!

Dennis was predeceased by his parents of Kansas City, Missouri, JoAnne and Wendell Carlson.

He is survived by his wife Carrie of Grand Junction, Colorado, daughter Audrey and her husband Bryce, of Corvallis, Oregon, Louise Howe of Dorr, Michigan, and brother in law Phil Howe of Caledonia, Michigan.

Due to the pandemic, attendance at his memorial service was very limited. Dennis was interred July 8, 2020, at the Grand Junction, Colorado Veterans Cemetery with honor and color guard ceremonies.

Dennis-Semper Fi!