Harold Raymond Carson (1920 - 2011)

CARSON, PORTERFIELD, MACKEY, CANNEY, PAGE, THORNTON, WILEY, SANCHEZ, REESE, SMITH

Posted By: Karen Brewer (email)
Date: 1/6/2022 at 12:04:24

Kale Funeral Home
Osceola, IA

Harold Raymond Carson, son of Frank Carson and Margaret Elizabeth Porterfield Carson was born on February 4, 1920 in Woodburn, Iowa. Harold passed from this life June 8, 2011 at Southern Hills Specialty Care in Osceola, Iowa. He was 91 years old.

Harold graduated from Fox School after completing eighth grade. He farmed with his father and brother Donald until he was drafted into the U. S. Army on July 10, 1942. While stationed at Ft. Carson, Colorado, he was united in marriage to Wilma Louise Mackey on September 4, 1943. Soon after their marriage, Harold was sent overseas and served in the CBI Theater (China, Burma and India). He served for two years until being discharged from the Army in November of 1945.

In 1946, Harold and Wilma began farming two miles north of Ottawa. They farmed for 36 years. They raised corn, beans, hogs, sheep, cattle and two fine sons, Raymon Eugene, born in 1949, and Michael Wayne, born in 1950. A baby girl, Rhonda Renee, was still born in 1953.

During the mid-1960's Harold bought his first antique gasoline engine, having always been fascinated by their simple, yet complex design. He spent hours in his shop restoring and repairing them. Harold traveled many miles, taking his engines to various antique shows, centennials and parades. He traveled to the Mt. Pleasant Old Threshers Reunion for 30 years, taking his engines for display. He also spent time hunting squirrels, pheasants, rabbits, quail, and the infamous musk thistle. It was once said that nothing grows north of Ottawa but Carson's and cockleburs.

In 1982, Harold and Wilma sold their farm and retired to Murray, Iowa. They enjoyed gardening, camping, traveling to visit family, and dancing on Saturday nights. After moving to Murray Harold began woodworking. He finished their basement using barn boards from his father's barn. He used wainscoting from Fox School to build his bar. He also used the barn boards to make picture frames, which were used to frame old family pictures. Harold continued to restore his gas engines. He restored his 1953 Ferguson tractor, purchased brand new, that he farmed with for 30 years. He also restored a John Deere Model 40 and a Model 630 which he drove in various local parades. Harold collected record albums, 8 track tapes and cassette tapes of the old country music legends and listened to them in the evenings. As Wilma's health failed, he took over the housekeeping duties, along with his usual yard work, gardening and pushing snow. Visitors were often met with Harold saying, "Take off your shoes, I just mopped the kitchen floor!"

Harold was a member of the First Christian Church of Osceola, American Legion Post 157 of Woodburn and was a charter member of the Osceola Fraternal Order of the Eagles.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Corda Canney, Bernice Page, Edith Thornton; infant daughter Rhonda Renee, and wife, Wilma.

He leaves to cherish his memory his sons, Raymon (Vicci) Carson of Chandler, AZ, Michael (Deanna) Carson of Woodburn; grandchildren Kelly (James) Wiley of Humeston, IA, Susan (Daniel) Sanchez of Santa Fe, NM, Travis Carson of Chandler, AZ, Amanda Carson of Osceola, IA and Sara Carson of Des Moines, IA; great-grandchildren Ryan Sanchez and Amber Carson-Reese; Brother Donald Carson of Osceola, special friend Shirley Smith, along with many relatives and friends.