Gary David Carlson
July 6, 1949 ~ September 28, 2019
Gary D. Carlson, age 70 of Vienna, VA, passed away on September 28, 2019 at home surrounded by his family. Beloved husband of Susan and loving father of David, Lydia, Michael, and Rachel; brother of Nancy Williams, and uncle of numerous nephews and nieces.
Gary was a Financial Advisor at Northwestern Mutual for 35 yrs and an LTC US Army Reserve, retired.
Gary David Carlson was born and raised in Worcester, MA. Gary grew up loving the outdoors, in particular fishing. Gary was very industrious and hard working from an early age; he shoveled snow, mowed lawns, caddied, and worked in restaurants and factories.
Gary attended Clark University, graduating with a degree in Economics in 1971. During this time, he joined the Massachusetts Army National Guard. Gary continued his education at Syracuse University, earning a JD and a Masters in Economics in 1974. Later that year he moved to Washington, DC to work as an economist.
Gary’s very extensive career history includes: several long term active duty assignments, such as, working in Indian Town Gap, PA, where he processed and assisted Vietnamese refugees; serving as a legal advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Reserve Affairs) at the Pentagon; working as a utility consultant in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands; working in private practice as an attorney; and, while living in Sterling, VA in the ’80s, he even ran for Commissioner of the Revenue for Loudoun County.
In 1984, Gary transitioned from law to becoming a financial advisor for Northwestern Mutual, where he had a successful 35-year career. Simultaneously, he continued his military career, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel at age 60.
In 1984 he also met the love of his life, Susan. They were married in 1986, and Gary soon had a ‘quiver full of arrows’: David, Lydia, Michael, and Rachel. Life was busy.
Gary was looking forward to retirement, possibly at a lake where he could read, relax, fish, and write his book.
In February 2019, Gary was hospitalized for 6 weeks, due to various, critical medical issues. Though he was told it was unlikely he would leave the hospital alive, ever the fighter, and through God’s grace and strength, Gary pulled through. Unfortunately, it was also discovered that he had a high grade neuro-endocrine carcinoma with a poor prognosis.
Gary felt that God was not done with him yet, that the reason he survived the hospitalization was to get his WWII book written. He poured his heart and soul into writing, with tremendous help and guidance from his dear friend Dick Hermann. Before his death, Gary was able to complete: Normandy to Berlin: When Ordinary Men Did Extraordinary Things.
Gary met death head-on with strength and courage. He had no fear, assured of life everlasting with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Calling hours are at Money & King Funeral Home in Vienna on Wed, Oct 2th from 2-4 and 6-8 pm. A funeral service will be held at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Vienna on Fri, Oct 4th at 11am followed by a reception.
The burial will be at Quantico National Cemetery on Mon, Oct 7th at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army and Baby Haven Orphanage (www.babyhaven.org).
Gary was a Financial Advisor at Northwestern Mutual for 35 yrs and an LTC US Army Reserve, retired.
Gary David Carlson was born and raised in Worcester, MA. Gary grew up loving the outdoors, in particular fishing. Gary was very industrious and hard working from an early age; he shoveled snow, mowed lawns, caddied, and worked in restaurants and factories.
Gary attended Clark University, graduating with a degree in Economics in 1971. During this time, he joined the Massachusetts Army National Guard. Gary continued his education at Syracuse University, earning a JD and a Masters in Economics in 1974. Later that year he moved to Washington, DC to work as an economist.
Gary’s very extensive career history includes: several long term active duty assignments, such as, working in Indian Town Gap, PA, where he processed and assisted Vietnamese refugees; serving as a legal advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Reserve Affairs) at the Pentagon; working as a utility consultant in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands; working in private practice as an attorney; and, while living in Sterling, VA in the ’80s, he even ran for Commissioner of the Revenue for Loudoun County.
In 1984, Gary transitioned from law to becoming a financial advisor for Northwestern Mutual, where he had a successful 35-year career. Simultaneously, he continued his military career, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel at age 60.
In 1984 he also met the love of his life, Susan. They were married in 1986, and Gary soon had a ‘quiver full of arrows’: David, Lydia, Michael, and Rachel. Life was busy.
Gary was looking forward to retirement, possibly at a lake where he could read, relax, fish, and write his book.
In February 2019, Gary was hospitalized for 6 weeks, due to various, critical medical issues. Though he was told it was unlikely he would leave the hospital alive, ever the fighter, and through God’s grace and strength, Gary pulled through. Unfortunately, it was also discovered that he had a high grade neuro-endocrine carcinoma with a poor prognosis.
Gary felt that God was not done with him yet, that the reason he survived the hospitalization was to get his WWII book written. He poured his heart and soul into writing, with tremendous help and guidance from his dear friend Dick Hermann. Before his death, Gary was able to complete: Normandy to Berlin: When Ordinary Men Did Extraordinary Things.
Gary met death head-on with strength and courage. He had no fear, assured of life everlasting with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Calling hours are at Money & King Funeral Home in Vienna on Wed, Oct 2th from 2-4 and 6-8 pm. A funeral service will be held at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Vienna on Fri, Oct 4th at 11am followed by a reception.
The burial will be at Quantico National Cemetery on Mon, Oct 7th at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army and Baby Haven Orphanage (www.babyhaven.org).
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My sincerest condolences to the Carlson family. I have known Gary for many years as we were involved in the same circles through his work at Northwestern Mutual and my estate planning practice. He was a wonderful friend and colleague and will always be remembered. — Jim Head
We will remember Gary for his love of the Lord and his wife and his children. So glad our paths crossed. We were there in spirit, Susan and family. David and Lexi Schafer of Westminster Maryland.
My deepest condolences. I me Gary in the mid 1980s. He was a great help to me when I first became a believer. He spent many, many hours mentoring me in scripture and helping me to walk by faith in Jesus. He was and will be a treasure to me. Raphael Jeu