Obituary for John Clay Carlson
John C. Carlson was born in Denver, Colorado, to the union of Fern Lela and Walter William Carlson. John passed from this life in Pueblo following a brief illness.
When John graduated from Adams State College in 1957, he returned to Denver and worked at the University of Denver and for the Jefferson County Public Schools as a supervisor in Media and Technical Support before moving to Castle Rock in 2002, where he enjoyed a varied career working in a nursing home and in retail business. He was on the Castle Rock City Council for several years as well as active in its library organization. Beginning in 1970, he worked on the research, history and restoration of the Rio Grande Railroad Station which was saved from demolition and moved to a site in the city. It was designated a National Historic Building. He lived in the building for several years and continued its restoration. Thus began his 'Plum Creek Railroad' identity. John received many awards for his photographs of the Castle Rock area. This interest continued in Walsenburg, where one of his photographs was included in the 2019 Lathrop Park calendar. His interest in historic preservation continued with the Walsenburg power Plant being placed on the endangered list of historic buildings. He retired and moved to Walsenburg in about 2008. John was an avid reader with a particular interest in history, museums, railroads, mysteries, and politics. Because of this, he was very busy serving as a member of the Board of Trustees/ Directors of The Walsenburg Mining Museum, the Huerfano County Historical Society, the City of Walsenburg Planning and Zoning group, the Scenic Highway of legends, the Spanish peaks Friends of the Library, the Huerfano County Democratic Party, Volunteers for Change in Colorado City, and the Dorcas Circle Food Bank. He was also an avid supporter of the Fox Theatre and Lathrop State Park. Some of his generous contributions include the Walsenburg Mining Museum, serving as a docent/ volunteer. display creator, and handyman with an average of over 900 hours every year; the Huerfano County Historical society serving as a Board member/ Volunteer and assistance with the Heritage Center; He also provided sound systems for events in La Veta such as Francisco Fort Days and Art in the Park and in Walsenburg including the Democratic Party gatherings, Mining Museum Ice Cream Socials, the new St. Mary's Hall, the United Church and many other events, and for his friends' special needs. because John considered his community to be Huerfano County,he generously donated his time, money, labor and love to us. His legacy and our love and respect for a dear friend will never be forgotten. John is survived by his brother, Jim Carlson and sister Joyce Redwillow of Denver.
When John graduated from Adams State College in 1957, he returned to Denver and worked at the University of Denver and for the Jefferson County Public Schools as a supervisor in Media and Technical Support before moving to Castle Rock in 2002, where he enjoyed a varied career working in a nursing home and in retail business. He was on the Castle Rock City Council for several years as well as active in its library organization. Beginning in 1970, he worked on the research, history and restoration of the Rio Grande Railroad Station which was saved from demolition and moved to a site in the city. It was designated a National Historic Building. He lived in the building for several years and continued its restoration. Thus began his 'Plum Creek Railroad' identity. John received many awards for his photographs of the Castle Rock area. This interest continued in Walsenburg, where one of his photographs was included in the 2019 Lathrop Park calendar. His interest in historic preservation continued with the Walsenburg power Plant being placed on the endangered list of historic buildings. He retired and moved to Walsenburg in about 2008. John was an avid reader with a particular interest in history, museums, railroads, mysteries, and politics. Because of this, he was very busy serving as a member of the Board of Trustees/ Directors of The Walsenburg Mining Museum, the Huerfano County Historical Society, the City of Walsenburg Planning and Zoning group, the Scenic Highway of legends, the Spanish peaks Friends of the Library, the Huerfano County Democratic Party, Volunteers for Change in Colorado City, and the Dorcas Circle Food Bank. He was also an avid supporter of the Fox Theatre and Lathrop State Park. Some of his generous contributions include the Walsenburg Mining Museum, serving as a docent/ volunteer. display creator, and handyman with an average of over 900 hours every year; the Huerfano County Historical society serving as a Board member/ Volunteer and assistance with the Heritage Center; He also provided sound systems for events in La Veta such as Francisco Fort Days and Art in the Park and in Walsenburg including the Democratic Party gatherings, Mining Museum Ice Cream Socials, the new St. Mary's Hall, the United Church and many other events, and for his friends' special needs. because John considered his community to be Huerfano County,he generously donated his time, money, labor and love to us. His legacy and our love and respect for a dear friend will never be forgotten. John is survived by his brother, Jim Carlson and sister Joyce Redwillow of Denver.