Donald Eugene Carlson was born on Feb. 27, 1938 to Len and Meta Carlson in Superior, Wisconsin. He passed away peacefully on June 22, 2025 in Galveston, Texas, at the home of his daughter, Kristen Carlson, surrounded by his loving family.
Don grew up in Burnett County, Wisconsin, and graduated with honors from Webster High School in 1956. He lettered in varsity football, track and field, and played the cornet in the high school band.
Don attended Marion College in Marion, Indiana, and then transferred to the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where he received a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in biology. In 1961, Don married the love of his life, Carol Annette Powell, after meeting at their best friends’ wedding. After marrying, he and Annette moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, where Don entered a doctoral program. He received his Ph.D. in radiology in 1968.
In the summer of 1968, Don accepted a position in research at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas and he and Annette and his two young daughters moved to the DFW area. They lived over the next 32 years in Irving, Grand Prairie, and Arlington, Texas.
Don retired from UT Southwestern in 1999. He and Annette sold their Arlington home and went on a two-year adventure in their RV, traveling to Alaska, and all over the United States. RV’ing with friends and family was a favorite pastime.
In 2002, Don and Annette built their dream home north of Danbury, Wisconsin, on the 80 acres that his parents left him. They lived in Wisconsin for 22 years, spending winters in Galveston with their daughter, Kristen. In 2023, they came to Galveston due to Don’s health where they lived full time until his passing.
Don was predeceased by his parents, Meta and Len; and older brother, Merton Carlson.
He is survived by his devoted, loving wife of 64 years, Carol Annette Carlson; daughters, Kesia Carlson and Kristen Carlson; grandchildren, Sydney Elise Greenwalt and Alex Taylor Greenwalt; and beloved son-in-law, Mark Saucedo.
A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, June 25, at 1:00 p.m., at First Lutheran Church, 2415 Winnie St., Galveston, TX 77550. A Wisconsin memorial will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to Lutheran World Relief at give.lwr.org.
