Don Marvin Carlson

Don graduated from the Central Webster High School, Burnside, IA and received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ames, IA 1971. He joined Slife Carlson Veterinary Clinic in Princeton, MO where he practiced for 15 years. He enjoyed working on his farm with the cattle and crops. He made many life-long friends. After selling his veterinary clinic in 1985, Don joined the U.S.D.A. Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) where he was a Supervising Veterinarian. He was stationed in Scottsbluff/Gering, NE for five years. His second assignment was in Kearney, NE for the next ten years. In 2001, Dr. Carlson was promoted to the Federal FSIS office in Omaha, NE. The Federal FSIS headquarters was moved to Washington, DC in 2007, where he served as a Senior Veterinary Consultant for International Affairs. From 2001-2012, Dr. Carlson traveled throughout the world working with foreign governments on their food safety exporting standards.

Don married Marilyn Danielson on August 27, 1967. This marriage was blessed with two daughters: Dawn Michelle and Robin Sue. Don and Marilyn celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in August 2017.

Don was very active in each of the churches where they lived. He served on administrative boards, SPRC, Finance and Missions. He joined Volunteers in Missions for the trip to Belize to help build a school. He was active in the Habitat for Humanity program. Whether it was fishing, hiking, running, biking or being with his family, you would find him outside enjoying nature.

During the last few years of Don’s life, his health issues kept him from participating in all the things he loved.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Viola Carlson, his sister, Linda Carlson Johnson, his grandparents, aunts and uncles. He is survived by his wife Marilyn; daughters Dr. Dawn Carlson-Scruggs and son-in-law Keith Scruggs of Richmond, TX; and Robin Sue Carlson of Casco, ME; grandchildren Morgan Carlson Cunningham of Biddeford ME and Tyler Santero of Gray, ME; great granddaughters, Hannah Grace and Audrey Lynn Cunningham of Biddeford, ME. He is also survived by his sister, Beverly Carlson Olofson and her husband Derrell.

A memorial service to celebrate Don’s life will be held on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 2:00 PM at Sugar Land First United Methodist Church, 431 Eldridge Road, Sugar Land, TX. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in Don’s honor to the Sugar Land First United Methodist Church Mission Ministries.