Samuel J. Carson

Samuel J. Carson was born in Petoskey, Michigan on August 5, 1932 at the Burns Clinic (now McLaren Northern Michigan). His parents were Samuel and Gertrude (Gangolf) Carson. Sam was raised on a family farm near Boyne Falls and graduated from Boyne Falls High School in 1950. He always said that he was in the top 10 of his class because there were only 11 students including his twin sister, Anna, in the class. After high school Sam sailed as a Merchant Marine on the Great Lakes. Sam moved to Flint and then to Detroit to work in the Chevrolet and Cadillac auto plants. He served proudly in the United States Air Force 63rd TACRECON Group 1950-1954 in the U.S. and Germany, as an aerial photographer. Sam worked as a union carpenter in all types of construction trades in Michigan, Florida, and California, and he even worked three years with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Fairbanks and Point Barrow, Alaska. He was an expert stone mason. His designs are throughout Northern Michigan and Mt. Pleasant. He was adept at repairing most everything. His love of the outdoors was evident in his fishing, hunting, and planting thousands of trees on the Boyne Falls Farm and rural Mt. Pleasant. His various motorcycles were his passion for over 60 years. He was an avid airplane pilot receiving his private and commercial ratings. He also received a certified rating as a deep sea diver. In 1962 he graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor Degree in Physics, and his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine in 1970 from Kansas City University of Medical and Bioscience. Dr. Carson completed his internship at Flint Osteopathic Hospital in 1971 and moved to Mt. Pleasant, opening his Family and Industrial Medicine Practice. For 39 years, he served the Mt. Pleasant area community in his Family Medicine Practice, as an Emergency Room Specialist, the Weidman Clinic, Hospital Ready Care, in the Comp Department at Wellness Center and for the Isabella County Jail. He captivated his patients and friends with his humor and life stories; he was loved by his patients and their families. Dr. Carson was respected for his intellect, his compassion and his care for his patients. Because he had worked in so many areas prior to medical school, he was aware of the issues affecting his industrial medicine patients. Dr. Carson was board certified in Family Medicine and Industrial Medicine. He was a dedicated staff member of the Clare Osteopathic Hospital (MidMichigan) 1971-2008 and the CMCH (McLaren Central) Hospital Staff from 1971- 2010. He served as Chief of Staff for CMCH and Clare Osteopathic (MidMichigan) Hospital. He was a member of the American Osteopathic Association, Michigan Osteopathic Association and the American College of Occupational and Preventive Medicine. He was also the FAA Medical Examiner for the Central Michigan area. As the Isabella and Clare County Medical Examiner (ME) for 37 years; he valued life and especially those after death. He truly loved his ME work with so many talented and caring professionals. In 1970, he married Carla R. Becky Rodenbaugh in Flint, Michigan. His greatest love was his family, John (Michelle), Karl (Melissa Wallace), Brian (Amber), Anne (Jeremy Kruger), Paul (Kate Wezensky) and his grandchildren, Alicia, Ryan and Zachary. He is survived by his twin sister, Anna Rose Shaler (Frank) of Boyne City and sister, Mollie Collins (Jerry) of Hendersonville, N.C.; brothers-in-law, Dr. Roy Hills of Saginaw, George L. Rodenbaugh of Atlanta, GA, Mark W. Rodenbaugh of Rock Island, IL; sister-in-law, Rhea M. Lesniak of Manassas, VA.; great aunt, Sister Rebecca Rodenbaugh of Nazareth, KY; and many loving nieces, nephews, and close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; infant son; sister, Margaret Hills; brothers, Jack Whitman, Frank Whitman, Harvey Carson and Carl Carson. The Carson family extends sincere appreciation and prayers to the dedicated (CMCH) McLaren Emergency Room Physicians - Dr. Carey, Dr. Doty, Dr. Inman, Dr. Wilkerson, and staff, the Hospital Medical Professionals in every department. In addition, thank you to the outstanding and caring professionals at the Isabella County Medical Care Facility and to the physicians, like Dr. Carson, who shared their great love of medicine with him Dr. Atchoo, Dr. Barnes, Dr. Chase, Dr. Dayalu, Dr. Fattal, Dr. Fuentes, Dr. Kane, Dr. Keating, Dr. Lilly, Dr. Miller, Dr. Obeid, Dr. Shankariah, and Dr. Weatherhead. The family will receive friends at Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home (2300 S. Lincoln Rd., Mt. Pleasant) on Friday from 4-8 p.m. with the Vigil beginning at 7:30 p.m. A Funeral Mass for Dr. Samuel J. Carson will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 11, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Mt. Pleasant with Father Donald Henkes as celebrant. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to Mass. A luncheon will follow at Sacred Heart Parish Hall. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 13, at Boyne Falls Cemetery in Boyne Falls, MI with military honors. A luncheon will conclude at St. Augustine Catholic Church Parish Hall. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider the Dr. Samuel J. Carson Science Scholarship Fund. Envelopes are available at the funeral home or church.