John Laverne Carlson

December 10, 1944 - April 13, 2015

John Laverne Conrad Carlson, 70, formerly of Grant Nebraska, passed away on April 13, 2015 in Devine Texas. He was born to George and Vera (Garrett) Carlson on December 10, 1944 in Dagenham County of Essex England. John and his mother came to the United States when he was approximately two years of age while his father continued to serve in the military overseas. John attended school in Glendora California and graduated from Glendora High School in 1963. In 1965 John was married and from this union two children were born-Julia Ann and David Lee. John had worked several years in the sales area. He was working at College Chevrolet in Claremont California where he met Sharon Terifaj. They were married in Pomona California in 1972. From this union they had one child-Janet Gene. In 1979 they moved from Covina California to Grant Nebraska where he helped run and operate the Tri-State Processing Plant with his parents and brother. During his time in Grant and his marriage to Sharon he cared and housed numerous foster children for over 15 years. He made a difference and touched many of their hearts and lives. John enjoyed the wind in his face, seen especially when he was on his Harley. He later was involved in roadside mowing, especially along interstate 80. In 2009, John left Grant to live his remaining years in Devine. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in deth by his brother, Robert Lee Carlson and a grandson, David Lee “DJ” Carlson Jr. He is survived by his three children- Julia Frazier of San Antonio Texas, David (Betty) Carlson of Devine Texas, and Janet Huff of Grant Nebraska; five grandchildren- Samantha (Dante) Perez and Sean Pittman-all of Devine; Melanie Frazier of San Antonio, and Zachary and Rylee Huff of Grant; his sister- Margaret (Jim) Carlson-Hein of Long Beach California; other relatives and friends. John’s wishes were to be cremated. His cremains will be scattered later this summer by family in the Sturgis South Dakota area where he can be free and ride with the wind.