Edward Charles Carlson Sr

Born 1923 in New Orleans to Louise C. Carlson (Calamari) and Charles C. Carlson, whom together in 1926, built, owned, and operated WJBW, one of the first radio stations in New Orleans.

Edward literally grew up with radio being produced in his front living room. His early memories were stepping over live cables in the living room. While his mother handled the disc jockey chair live, his father did behind scenes production and engineering. Edward sold advertising and time on the radio and helped run the family business. He graduated high school from the Gulf Coast Military Academy in Gulfport, Mississippi. The day after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, he signed up to defend his country and become a member of the elite fighting forces called the Scouts and Raiders, which later became the U.S. Navy Seals.

He attended Tulane University and later, after the war, Edward completed his business degree at LSU. He then attended television-broadcasting school in New York City. He worked for NBC studios producing television shows, but longed to return home to New Orleans. After moving back to his hometown, he ran the family radio station until the early 1960's. He worked for WWL and WYES in sales and was the Sales Manager at WVUE-TV before eventually becoming a real estate broker. Whether it was radio, television, or real estate, Edward was a great salesman. While expanding his experience in real estate in the early 70’s, he met a young entrepreneur named Al Copeland who was just getting started with his third location for Popeye’s Fried Chicken. Al and Ed became instant friends and Al hired him on the spot. Ed personally handled all real estate for Al Copeland and for the Popeye’s Corporate until the company was acquired in the early 1990’s. Ed and family are still Popeye’s franchisee owners in the Greater New Orleans area. Ed was married twice and has seven children, seven grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. We all love and miss him!

A wake will be held on Friday, October 19, 2012 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Jacob Schoen & Son on Canal Street. A viewing and Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2012 at St. Rita Catholic Church at 2729 Lowerline Street. The visitation will begin at 9 a.m., with the Funeral Mass beginning at 11 a.m. All are invited to attend the services and a reception at the family home beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Please sign the guestbook at www.schoencanalstreet.com.