He was the Moose lodge musician for 9 years. He was a graduate of East High School where when it became too difficult for him to attend regular classes he was blessed to have Arlinda Parr as his private teacher in his home. It was this lovely lady who helped motivate Johns' thirst for knowledge and set the fire to his love of learning and charted the course for John's future development.

He was able to attend the University of Utah for 3 years until the inaccessibility and difficulty of getting into buildings prevented further progress. After this he was largely self taught and became a well educated man who's knowledge spanned many areas and fields.

He served as a counselor and as a secretary in the Elders quorum of his church--served as Family Home Evening Coordinator and group leader and assistant ward clerk . He served for many years as treasurer of the Carson Family Organization, worked for 15 years at Bob's Luggage Repair Shop. He kept the books for Display Signs Co. and served as a Volunteer worker and later as a teachers aid at Washington Elementary School.

He was affected by muscular dystrophy all of his life but wanted most of all to be accepted as he was. He wanted to love and be loved as a man and to gain the respect and friendship of each of us without pity, sorrow or in sympathy over his physical condition. He wanted to enjoy life and faced his problems with courage and dignity.

In one of John's favorite movies, "It's a wonderful Life" by Frank Kappra, the main character played by James Stewart is faced by circumstances beyond his control to forgo many of the things he would have liked to have done. John Carson likewise was forced by circumstances of health to forgo many of his hearts greatest desires. As a result they both wondered at times if they had really accomplished much on earth. If we will take but a moment to search our hearts in remembrance of the associations we each had with John, when we consider the enjoyment we shared, the happiness he brought, the things he taught, the example he was and the love he gave we recognize that John Carson, like the star in the movie reached the highest success possible for mankind--He had the love and respect of everyone who knew him. He contributed to our lives and everyone of us is better for having known him.

He has no posterity of his own and yet because of his influence and example and because of the things he taught and the help he gave to so many of us -- particularly family members--Our lives and our posterity will always be in some measure a reflection of him.

This talk is probably the hardest thing I have ever done because I am afraid I cannot even touch representing the real John Carson. He did not often express his deepest feelings and unfortunately I did not either so I never told him in mortality how much I love him, honor him, respect him. If I could ask anything of him it would only be something he has already given. He had the patience and love to spend time with our children. He answered their questions, gave them his knowledge, shared his possessions and was always the best example of courtesy, kindness and love. I do not ever remember seeing him lose his temper nor put anyone else down. Though some of us disappointed him--he never disappointed us.

It is difficult to adequately portray John for he was so many things to so many people. He enjoyed a variety of people and many different activities and pursuits. The many years of playing chess with Boyd was very much enjoyed by him for he so liked an intellectual challenge. His mind was very keen and he looked forward to ever learning and growing. It seemed that whatever he set out to learn or do he did it---but he did not just want to learn or do a thing--he wanted to work to become the best at it he could be. He was a strong competitor but one always ready to lift the competition to their greatest capacity. There were many hours spent in sociable contest, chess matches, computer games, and many other competitive challenges. He won ribbons and prizes and trophies when he was slot car racing. He was particularly fond of language and word games and intense competition he found among his fellow workers and close friends. Largely he competed within himself--ever striving to be better and better.

Not wanting his physical impairment to stand in the way of being self-sustaining he wanted to pay his own way in life and always did. He didn't have much but he was ever there to lend what he could or to cash a check or to help in so many ways. A great intellect with an open mind. A fine competitor with a humble spirit though he had little he gave a lot--How do we honor such a man?

He was so happy with those he met and became close friends with at Church.---particularly those in his Family Home Evening groups. These special friends meant so much to him and he appreciated their many kindnesses to him. He wanted just to be accepted for who and what he was and not treated differently because of his physical handicap. He had very strong and deep personal feelings for all of his friends. Every activity, trip and association was looked upon with eagerness and anticipation. He was a true friend; loyal, patient, kind. He never talked behind someone's back, spread rumors or put down anyone. He was a rare friend- one in whom there was no guile nor deceit.

He enjoyed his work though often it was very tiring for him. His last job as a teacher's aid was particularly satisfying. He enjoyed the kids so much. The challenge of working with the computers and helping in other ways were very self-satisfying to him. He loved the people there and was grateful for their kindness and friendship.

Working with and helping kids was a special talent of Johns, whether at school or in the family there was a ready rapport, instant trust and many golden teaching moments. In this regard we here have been taught many things by John Carson. He was a teacher who always remained teachable and open to the thoughts, ideas and opinions of others. He was ever expanding his own knowledge -- not to hold it over others but so he could share it with others.

Loyal worker, friend without guile, teachable-teacher. How do we honor such a man?

John had a great ability to lead someone on with a double-play on words, a ready wit, unbelievable come-backs and zingers that were a delight to all, surprising to some and over the head of many of us. He seemed to feel an obligation to teach little children how to shake their can of pop before they opened it and act completely innocent after the ensuing spray or to teach them to throw a raw egg up to the ceiling so the egg giant living in the ceiling could catch it. This latter trick proved most interesting when our child tossed the egg in the Carsons home. He taught our kids the way to tell if spaghetti is done by throwing it against the wall to see if it sticks. Practical jokes, tricks, word plays and nonsense presented with a seriousness and straight face which would honor the greatest comedian. Many there are who will never quite know for sure if John was waxing eloquent from his unbelievable store of knowledge or if they were being put-on as the recipient of a joke that went over their head or that sounded so real and plausible that John was never challenged or questioned. He was a comedian deluxe with a fine turned intellectual sense of humor.

His knowledge was extensive, He was his own dictionary, thesauruses, reference volume and also a venerable walking encyclopedia of useless information which was always well maintained and ready for a game of trivia.

He knew well how to laugh and how to make others laugh. He always had a trick to show and answer to give and a joke to pull. He was no stick-in-the-mud but a refreshing joy to be around. His humor and jokes were a touch of class and were never offensive or derogatory but were funny and tasteful even for the recipient. I am sure the spirit world is a funnier place with him there.

His musical talent and enjoyment was rich and full. A good pianist, he also played the xylophone in high school, was familiar with the recorder and knew music well. He enjoyed fine music and introduced many nephews and nieces to symphonies, fine orchestrations and classical performances,. He could have won first prize on name that tune and knew well the peace, beauty and joy of listening to quality music.

His talents in woodwork, marquetry, leather, and plastic made him a most remarkable source of gifts of quality workmanship. So many of us were benefitted by his artistic talents and craft work. What he did not make for someone, he surely could fix. If you had something broken or needing advice on how to fix a thing he was the first resource. The Carson home was a wonderful place. If John could not fix it or have the knowledge or part to do a job then almost certainly Ray did. As always, John did not merely do a job or a project but did his best.

Perhaps the most amazing thing about John was that he always knew exactly where what ever-it-was-you-needed was at.It was in the upper left hand drawer just next to the small screwdriver and before or next to the rubber cement or in some other exact location whose presence was known intimately to John.

He bought his computer because he did not want the computer age to come and he be left behind. He saw it as a future part of the younger generation and he wanted to be able to keep in touch with them. His skill in understanding and using the computer were largely self-taught and true to form he always worked to know more and understand better and used his experience and machines to make all of our lives more fun and enjoyable, and to teach many of us older and younger folks new skills and a better understanding of our computer age.

He was a humorist, musician and craftsman at ease in the world of science, technology and innovation. His mind was able to comprehend the complex and share with a child. How should we honor such a man?

There is a very special place for John in his family and extended family. In many ways and for many years he seemed to be a sort of centerpiece. He was much more than a brother-- much more than and uncle or in-law, he was a friend-- he was ------John. He was always there. He was very special. He taught our children and each of us. He made us laugh and shared our accomplishments and problems. He was always ready for a game, to help with a project or just to visit. He was so much to so many. I cannot describe my own feelings and would not attempt to describe yours but I know we all loved him very deeply. He will be missed very much. From small one-on-one- conversations to large family reunions his influence was always felt, his kindness always there and his friendship ever-present.

We are so grateful for the time we spent together, for having him born into this family and for the example he has set for all of us.

How do we honor such a man? I do not completely know- yet somehow I feel that if we retain our thoughts of him---those feelings of love and affection we feel for him at this moment, if we will follow his example and try to be a friend to others as he was to us and if we treasure his memory in our hearts until we meet with him again--- he will feel honored.

In closing may I say a couple of things that I feel really ought to be said. I know John would be especially pleased today if we included in these proceeding the wonderful closeness, friendship and help he always received from his sister Kathryn. She was always there to take him places, see that he was taken care of and to bless his life with a richness and fullness which would not have otherwise been possible. His friends were her friends and her friends were his friends.

One cannot possibly honor John and his accomplishments, his travels and friends without mentioning his loyal and beloved sister who more than any other was always there to help him to have a rich, full, enjoyable and happy life. I know he would thank us all for the many things that were done for him--- but a special thanks would go to Kathryn and his beautiful and wonderful parents, Ray and Blair. He loved them so much and I am certain that the recent reunion with his kind sweet mother has been a beautiful, heart rendering occasion.

I honor the beautiful relationship- father and son- that I have witnessed over the years. Ray and John, kindness, respect, duty, honor. I love them both, as I do all the members of this beautiful family who have helped John so much.

Some years ago John made a decision. His choices were basically to stay at home where he would have better health, feel stronger and perhaps have an extended lifetime or to get out- make friends, become active in church and work and became involved with others. He chose to become involved even though it took a toll on his physical health. No one will ever really know how tired he got from church callings, and meetings. We cannot feel the anxiety and physical drain he had from working at school some days or from the constant flow of nieces and nephews or others dropping in to play games or to visit. This was what he wanted---- he so enjoyed his friends and relatives, church and work responsibilities that I am sure he would make the decision over again.

We cannot know of course whether his choice to get out and become involved shortened his stay on earth by an hour or a week or year - but we do know that he knew it might shorten it and he was willing to face that possibility in order to meet and make new friends.

Many are here today as a direct result of his choice. Quite literally he gave his life for his friends for his life was his friends and each of us were honored because he was our friend.

We will deeply miss our beloved friend. We may honor him by treating others with the kindness and care that he always had for us.

I will close with a quote from the last entry in his journal which reads, "all my family and friends have shown their concern and I'm grateful to God for all of them."

We honor and salute thee our good friend until we meet again in the eternal worlds beyond. In the name of .....