Gerald Wayne (Jerry) Carson peacefully departed this life on January 27, 2024, at his residence in Liberty Hill, Texas, surrounded by his wife and children. Jerry, aged 88, was born in Dallas, Texas on May 4, 1935, to his parents C. C. “Kit” Carson and Dorothy (Gray) Carson. His educational journey included University Park Elementary, Highland Park Junior High, and graduating in 1953 from Highland Park High School. He attended Texas Tech and Southern Methodist University majoring in business administration/accounting. In 1956, Jerry married his high school sweetheart, Jane Graves Carson and celebrated 67 years of marriage last July 7. The couple welcomed two children, Ken in 1957 and Karen in 1959.
The Carsons initially resided in University Park before moving to Richardson, where Jerry spent 7 years working at Restland Memorial Park and served as President of the Richardson Jaycees. After a 15-year tenure as a sales representative in the Dallas Trade Mart, Jerry and Jane established their own sales rep company, Mark IV Sales, Inc., in 1982, specializing in wholesale gifts and decorative accessories. Relocating to Allen in 1972, Jerry served on the Allen ISD Board of Trustees from 1973 to 1982, holding the position of Vice President. He and Jane were very active in education, athletic & civic activities during their 14 years in Allen.
The Carsons then called North Dallas home from 1986 until their retirement in 2004 when they settled in their cherished residence at Pinedale Lake near Tyler, a home they cherished for 54 years. Jerry held various positions, including President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, and Director of the Pinedale Club Lake. Three years ago, the couple moved to Liberty Hill, closer to their children and youngest granddaughter.
Jerry was a member of First Christian Church of Richardson for 40 years, where he was a Deacon, Elder, and served as Vice-Chairman and Chairman of the Board. In the last 23 years, he had been a member of Prestonwood Baptist Church, attending the Encouragers Class. Jerry leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and kindness. May he rest in eternal peace, reunited with loved ones who preceded him in death. Jerry will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all who had the pleasure of sharing in his life's journey.
He was predeceased by his father, Kit in 1957; mother, Dorothy in 1954; brother, Clyde Cecil in 1987; and daughter-in-law, Natalie Anderson Carson in 2004.
Jerry is survived by his devoted wife, Jane; son, Kenneth Wayne Carson (Connie Hardin Stried); daughter, Karen Carson Saucier, all residing in Liberty Hill; grandchildren, Chris Saucier (Jana), of Haughton, Louisiana, Sarah Carson Arens (Kevin), of Fenton, Missouri, Hannah Carson, of Pflugerville, Texas, Samantha Stried Reiter (Stephen) of Magnolia, Texas, Stephanie Stried Kaspar (Kyle) of Houston, Texas; and great-grandchildren, Jonathan, Noah, and Lucas Arens, Tucker and Tatum Saucier, Dylan and Paityn Reiter, and Colton and Morgan Kaspar; sister, Jean Carson Scott; nephew and niece, Milton and Patti Frie, all residing in Allen. His surviving family also includes extended family members, Judy Vogel, Sharon May, Warren Saucier (Amanda), Trent Saucier (Heather), Whitney Saucier James (Jacob), Josie, and Ellie.
A funeral service honoring Jerry's life will take place at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 6, 2024, in the chapel at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013.
Jerry will be laid to rest at 1:00 p.m., Friday, February 9, 2024 at Ridgeview Memorial Park, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Foundation for Allen Schools at 612 E Bethany, Allen, Texas 75002, the Highland Park Education Foundation, hpef.org, 4201 Grassmere Lane, Dallas, Texas 75205, or Prestonwood Christian Academy, prestonwoodchristian.org, 6801 W Park Blvd, Plano, Texas 75093.