HAROLD GEHARD CARLSON

"BEAR"

August 28, 1937 ~ June 16, 2018

Harold "Bear" Carlson was born in Austin, Texas, so he had Longhorn in his blood. Both of his parents were Swedes and spoke with a slight accent, so he learned some Swedish phrases at an early age. Bear was shy as a child  and fiercely independent. He loved the freedom of earning money as a paperboy beginning at nine years old and continued with that through high school. He knew all the streets of downtown Austin and even delivered the Austin Statesman to the desk of the Governor of Texas! Bear's parents would help him from time to time as he threw papers. His mother would roll the papers for him while he drove the route. Once, when it was cold and wet, his dad would take off Bear's wet socks and place them on a furnace to dry while he covered his cold feet with his warm hands.

Bear loved cars and his favorite was a 1954 Plymouth that he babied and even did a little drag racing with his high school buddies.

He graduated from Austin High School in 1956.  He worked at Miller Blueprint Company, where they encouraged him to go to college.  He went to The University of Texas, School of Architecture and graduated in 1963.  While attending UT he enlisted in the Army National Guard at Camp Mabry for six years.  After graduation from UT he worked for CRS Architecture firm in Houston, Texas, where he received his registration as an architect.  He worked for a few years at Brown & Root in their Architecture Department, then he opened his own architecture firm, Harold Carlson Associates. He retired to design and build our home in Tomball, Texas.

Bear was married to Nancy Hall Carlson and they had three children:  Mark Gehard Carlson, of Austin, Texas and twin girls, Tracie Lynn Carlson of Lynnwood, WA and Lisa Ann Carlson of San Antonio.  Mark passed away in 1993. Bear has a brother, Robert Eugene Carlson, of Austin, Texas and a brother, Milton Dwight Carlson, deceased.

Bear was married to Nancy Hall Carlson and they had three children: Mark Gehard Carlson of Austin, TX, and twin girls, Tracie Lynn Carlson of Lynnwood, WA, and Lisa Ann Carlson of San Antonio, TX. Mark passed away in 1990. Bear has a brother, Robert Eugene Carlson of Austin, TX, and a deceased brother, Milton Dwight Carlson.

Bear and Pam were married for 33 years.  Pam's children Cynthia Kay Sager, stepdaughter, of Houston, and Curtis Glenn Sager, stepson, of Katy, TX, became a part of his life, too. He was known as GrandBear to their three grandchildren Alyssa Rose Sager, Michael Cecil Sager, and Zachary Scott Sager, all of Houston, and step-great-grandson, Matthew Roy Sager, also of Houston.

They loved to travel especially driving trips so they could go off on "rabbit trails" to see new places.  After 911 they went on a "Train Trip Through Europe" with dear friends and that trip has to be the highlight of their travels.

They both belonged to two photography clubs: the Northwest Houston Photography Club and Lightcatchers Photography Group.  His preference was architecture photography, focusing on perspective and architectural elements.

One of his proudest times was being Director of the Newlywed Class at The Metropolitan Baptist Church in Cypress, Texas.  They have life long friends from that ministry.

He loved the LORD and spent his time studying the Scriptures and enjoyed being in two Life Groups to study GOD's Word.  He was a man of prayer and was in a prayer ministry at Salem Lutheran Church in Tomball, TX. His life verse was 1 John 5:12  "He who has the Son, has life; he who does not have the Son of God, does not have life."

Although he had a number of health issues, he would press on until the LORD was ready to move him to his new neighborhood, HEAVEN!

Bear left a life print in the heart of many people with his gentle spirit and caring nature.  Probably the place that will miss him most is WHATABURGER!  Nobody loves those burgers more than Bear!

A memorial service celebrating Bear's life and faith will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 7, at Salem Lutheran Church, 22601 Lutheran Church Road, Tomball, TX 77377.

If desired, memorial donations can be made to Salem Lutheran Church - Missions.