Carlson, Clint J. 1964-2015

CARLSON, LOKEN

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke--volunteer
Date: 1/1/2016 at 14:59:50

Source: Hawarden Independent (5-21-2015)

Born: April 13, 1964
Died: May 10, 2015

Clint John Carlson, 51, of Worthing, South Dakota died May 10, 2015. A Memorial Service was held Friday, May 15.

Clint John Carlson was born to Virgil and Judy Carlson on April 13, 1964 in Hawarden, Iowa.

Clint attended school in Canton, South Dakota graduating in 1983. While in High school Clint spent much of his time in the Vo-Ag shop building and fixing which earned him the nickname ‘Cooter’. From there, he joined the South Dakota Army National Guard Service Battery 1st Battalion 147th Field Artillery, obtaining the rank of Sergeant and earning several honors during his 6 years of service. After completing boot camp he attended Southeast Technical Institute in the automotive mechanic program, graduating in 1985.

Clint married Heather Loken on June 28, 1986. They made their home in Canton for a couple years and were blessed with two beautiful children, a daughter in August of 1987 and a son in April of 1989. They moved to an acreage south of Worthing. Then in 1998 they moved to an acreage north of Worthing to meet the requirements for Heather’s job at Sioux Falls Fire Rescue.

Through the years, several companies benefitted from Clint’s talents of building and fixing everything mechanical and made of metal. Most recently Clint used his fix it skills for the Sioux Falls airport authority, maintaining their runways and large equipment.

Clint was the go to guy if you needed anything fixed, from a weed eater to a pay loader, backhoe or a trailer and of course vehicles. He was always willing to lend a hand to anyone needing help. He became an expert at everything from welding to pneumatics, hydraulic, electrical and mechanical systems. He often said making junk work was his specialty

Clint enjoyed car sports and built many demolition derby cars with his friends and his son. Their demolition cars have a reputation of being very tough. He also raced for several years at I-90 speedway in the yellow #64. He achieved the Point Championship for Pure Stocks in the 2009 racing season.

Clint had a love for Fords, most especially Mustangs, building his first, a 1969 Mustang Coupe, in high school; then also restoring another 1969 Mustang Coupe from a rusted body shell to a head turning street driver over the last several years.

Clint participated with his kids in horse events as they grew up and were learning to ride and show. Clint enjoyed trail rides on a good horse at Custer State Park and sometimes he would ride just down the road with family and friends.

Clint is survived by his wife Heather Carlson; daughter Jennifer Carlson and two grand children, Beau and Marlaina Dixon; son Kurt Carlson; parents Virgil and Judy Carlson; sisters Deb Thompson (Scott); Annette Williams; Eva Powell; and brother Brian Carlson (Tammy) Carlson.