Gary L. Carlson

MARION – Gary L. Carlson, 79, was born January 22, 1936, on his grandparent’s farm in Clay County, Kansas.  He was the son of Carl and Gladys (Davis) Carlson.  He was the second child born to this union, which included three sons and one daughter – Everell, Gary, Dennis and Joyce.  He attended country school where his mother taught him for one year.  Later he attended Clay Center High School.  On June 3, 1956, he married Shirley Walker at Clay Center.  They made their first home in Clay Center, where Gary worked as a TV repairman.  In March of 1957, they moved to Marion, where he continued working as a TV repairman for Oeschlager Furniture Store.  On April 1, 1958, they opened Carlson’s TV & Radio at 430 S. Cedar, operating the business out of one-half of their garage.  Later, in 1960, they built the shop behind their house where he continued to operate the business, eventually changing the name to Carlson’s TV & Satellite, to reflect the changes in his services.  Through the years Gary installed and operated sound systems in many locations in the area.  He also furnished and operated sound systems for local school programs and musicals, the county fair, the Old Settler’s Day parade, and Art in the Park.  Gary and Shirley were blessed with four children – Greg, Cindy, Brad and Mitch.  The family enjoyed camping, boating and jeeping with their friends and family.  In later years, the couple also enjoyed trips with their friends, including Las Vegas and Branson.  They regularly played cards with one group of friends for many years.  Though he was unable to participate as much in recent years, he still enjoyed visits from his friends, but especially his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren – who affectionately called him “Gerby”.  Gary passed away on October 6, 2015, at St. Luke Hospital in Marion, Kansas.  He was preceded in death by his brothers, Everell and Dennis; brother-in-law, Harry; granddaughter, Mattie Carlson; and a great-grandson, Ryder Reece.  He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Shirley; his children:  Greg and wife Linda of Marion; Cindy and husband Charlie Reece of Hillsboro; Brad of Marion; and Mitch and wife Suzi of Marion; his sister, Joyce Ashton of Kimberling City, MO; a sister-in-law, Carolyn Hoover of Abilene; 10 grandchildren:  Carla, Nick, Melissa, Chip, Casey, Chance, Chelsi, Chase, Chassidy and Randy; step-grandchildren:  Meghan, Molly, Tyler and Sam; 8 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way; and 3 step-great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.  Visitation with family will be from 7 - 9 p.m., Thursday, at Zeiner Funeral Home, Marion.  The Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 9, 2015, at Eastmoor United Methodist Church, Marion.  Interment will be in the Marion Cemetery.  A Memorial Fund has been established for Eastmoor United Methodist Church in care of Zeiner Funeral Home, PO Box 6, Marion, KS, 66861.