Alfred Joseph Carson Jr.

Alfred Joseph Carson passed from this earth on April 19, 2020, from complications of congestive heart failure. He is deeply missed by friends and family who knew him as a kind man with a ready smile and a good sense of humor. He liked to make others laugh with his comic antics. He was empathetic and immediately eager to help anyone in need.

Al was born on November 26, 1934, in Baltimore, Maryland. He was the eldest of two brothers, Douglas Victor and Malcolm Lewis. His father, Alfred J. Carson Sr., served in World War II in the Merchant Marines, and his mother, Phyllis, raised the boys with her sweet, loving disposition. In his youth, Al wrestled, perfected a one-handed handstand and other acrobatic skills, raced motorcycles, and enjoyed traveling and rustic camping. 

Al was a proud soldier with a career in the Army (Calibration Team and Race Relations/Equal Opportunity). While in-service he earned a BA in psychology. Following military retirement, Al worked as a calibration technician at Tinker Air Force Base with Raytheon, an electronics instructor at Southwest Technical College, and a contract electronic technician for the FAA, managing an engineering laboratory. Al often spoke fondly of the unique group of people he came to know at the FAA as being not only skilled and committed to a superior work ethic, but also amiable and compassionate. 

Al and his beloved wife, Jane, loved traveling. While on overseas assignments they explored foreign countries, kids in tow, as much as time allowed. Back in the States they would "bug outta town" on a "mini-moon" whenever possible. If asked, each would answer that their drive to Alaska was their favorite vacation. Following Al's civilian retirement, he and Jane moved to Florida to live near her sister, Martha. Al drove a security cart, studied the Bible with dedication, and took in many Gulf sunsets sitting alongside Jane.

Al is survived by two daughters, Gail (Sky) P. Carson and India (Cindy) Rose Carson, and his granddaughter, Brittany Nicole Dory. In 2015 Al was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, a devastating blow. However, just as his sister-in-law Martha was blessed to find Harold after the death of her husband Charles, Al was given a second chance at love with Ms. Carmen Gomez. The two enjoyed each other's friendship and companionship, and of course Al tried to make her laugh. In the last few years they enjoyed the Full Circle Adult Day Center, Tai Chi instruction and exercising with weights provided by two personal trainers, visiting friends, eating in restaurants, taking trips, and holding hands while watching television.

Following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, military funeral honors will be provided at Fort Sill National Cemetery, and family and friends will gather for a celebration of this wonderful man's life.