ELIZABETHTOWN, INDIANA
James F. Carson, 92, a lifelong resident of Elizabethtown, Indiana, passed from this life at 4:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 24, 2021, at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Facility.
Mr. Carson was born September 4, 1929, in Elizabethtown, the son of the late Dorance J. and Esther A. Essex Carson. On February 15, 1952, Jim married F. Norma VanEst; she survives.
Mr. Carson was a member of the 1947 graduating class of Columbus High School and he attended Purdue University for a year. Mr. Carson was a United States Army veteran of the Korean War, stationed in the territory of Alaska, serving with Company I 196th Infantry, He received the National Defense Service Medal and the Sharpshooters Badge. He was honorably discharged December 10, 1954, in Fort Sheridan, Illinois.
Mr. Carson was a lifelong farmer on Carson land that was homesteaded in 1843. His family is proud of his efforts to continue the lands growth and sustainability and to receive the Pioneer Homestead award in 1976. He was an assistant engineer for the Indiana State Highway Department for five years. Mr. Carson retired from 30 years of night shift work from Cummins Engine, Inc. He was a Becks Seed Corn dealer for 30 years and he served as the Rockcreek Township Trustee for eight years. Jim received Democrat of the Year in 2016. He was a member of Hope Masonic Lodge No. 150, charter member of Bartholomew County Pork Producers, Modern Farmers, and Purebred Swine Breeders association. He had a passion for raising purebred Duroc hogs.
Mr. Carson was a baptized believer and faithful member of Burnsville Christian Church serving as Sunday School teacher, deacon, trustee, elder, and chairman of the board. Jim and Norma shared an interest in travel and had visited to all 50 states, many foreign countries, and attended 2 presidential inaugurations.
Surviving to cherish his memory are his wife of 69 years, Norma; children, Michael (Denise) Carson of Elizabethtown, Daniel (Marcia) Carson of Elizabethtown, Cynthia (Paul) Baute of Edinburgh, Teresa Carson of Elizabethtown, and Melissa Evens of Lafayette; grandchildren, Brad (Ana) Andress, Heather Andress, Margaret Carson, Caleb Carson, Frank (Janell) Baute, Mark (Cara) Baute, Troy (Chelsea) Baute, Stacy Baute, James Carson Evens, and Sam (Andy) Ahlersmeyer; great-grandchildren, Henry, Caroline, Adelaide, Franklin, Maverick, Beckett, and Drew; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and other dear and special friends.
Mr. Carson was preceded in death by his parents; brother, David E. Carson; and his sister, M. Kathryne Balsley.
The funeral service celebrating Jim’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 30, 2021, at Barkes, Weaver &Glick Funeral Home on Washington Street with David Huey and E. Reeves Flint officiating.
Family and friends may gather for visitation from 4-8 p.m. Monday, November 29, 2021, and from 10 a.m. until service time Tuesday at the funeral home.
Mr. Carson will be laid to rest at the Hope Moravian Cemetery. Full military honors will be presented by the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard. Mr. Carson’s grandchildren will serve as the pallbearers.
Memorial contributions may be made to Johnson Bible College in Knoxville, Tennessee – where Jim and Norma attended Senior Saints in the Smokies for over 15 years – or the Burnsville Christian Church.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family and a video tribute may be viewed at barkesweaverglick.com
