Jim Carlson, 1939 ~ 2013
Feb 28, 2013 | 885 views | 0 0 comments | 4 4 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Jim Carlson, age 73, fought a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease and died Feb. 21, 2013. Less than a week before his death, he was still saying his wife’s name, Ginny, drinking his cokes, and eating his beloved M&Ms, however, by then, Alzheimer’s had stolen almost everything else from him.

Jim grew up in Illinois and lived in Chicago, Berlin, Germany, New Jersey, Seattle, Olympia, Romania, Wisconsin, and Albuquerque, before moving to Moab in 2000. Jim graduated from Carthage College and was a German linguist for the U.S. Army.

Professionally, he was employed in the computer field, managed a golf course, and performed years of volunteer work. He loved to golf, hike, and joke around. He was a sports fan with a deep loyalty to his Chicago Cubs and Bears teams.

Jim and his beloved wife, Ginny, had many life adventures in their 45-year marriage. He leaves behind his wife, Ginny; son, John and wife Jenn; his daughter, Sharon and her husband John and their children, Zack and Rachel. His 13 nieces and nephews, along with their spouses and children and their parents (Jim’s “in-laws”) will miss their “Uncle Jim.”

Ginny and Jim have been living in Olympia, Wash., since October 2012, in order to obtain health care for Jim not available in southeast Utah. A special thanks to their many friends and relatives who helped both Ginny and Jim navigate the past five years, and a very special thanks to Mike and Jean Binyon. Hats off to all the doctors, nursing staffs and caregivers in Moab, Grand Junction, Ft. Morgan and Olympia. There will be a celebration of Jim’s life after Ginny returns to their home in Moab.

Please remember Jim by having a bowl of ice cream in his honor.

Memorial contributions may be made to SUWA (Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, 425 East 100 South, Salt Lake City, UT, 84111) or New Market Skills Center, a vocational training center for youth. Donations will be directed to scholarship assistance in the Nursing Assistant Certification program. Several of Jim’s caretakers had received their excellent training at New Market (New Market Foundation, 7299 New Market St. SW, Tumwater, WA, 98501).
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