Donald (Don) W. Carson, 75, of Freeland, died at his home on March 4, 2009.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 14 at the American Legion in Langley, followed by a potluck celebration.

Don was born in Ecorse, Mich. on Dec. 29, 1933 to Elmer and Marie (Bongartz) Carson.

Don grew up in Allen Park, Mich. and went to Allen Park High School, where he played football, hockey and was the stroke for an eight-man crew that won the National Henley Cup in the early 1950s.

In 1952 Don graduated from high school and went on to attend Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo for two years and was a member of the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. Don had enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves and activated in 1952; he spent 18 months on Mount Fuji, Japan. Released from service, he attended Wayne State University and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in business administration.

Don then moved to Los Angles, Calif. and began working for Tube Sales, and was later transferred to Kirkland. He was a salesman for Western Pneumatic, and for 18 years was the northwest regional representative for Tube Service, a division of Reliance Steel. He retired in 1997.

Sports were a very important part of Don’s life; his passion was tennis. He was an active tennis player at the Mill Creek Country Club, and later at Useless Bay Country Club.

Don was a member and held numerous offices in many of the nonprofit organizations on Whidbey Island; Whidbey Island Eagles (treasurer, secretary, president and chairman of the charity committee), Whidbey Island Transportation Association (treasurer), American Legion Post 141 (current post adjutant), Major Megan McClung Marine Corps League (current vice commandant), Senior Services of Island County (current board member).

He was an active volunteer at Community Thrift and had volunteered in various food booths at the Island County Fair each year, including Eastern Star/Masonic Lodge, VFW and American Legion.

Don married Marilyn Carson and had two children, a son Mike Carson and daughter Michelle Smith. They were later divorced.

He married Annie Benson in 1991 and they lived in Snohomish for five years, commuting to their home on Whidbey Island as often as they could.

They moved permanently to the island in 1996 and have enjoyed the home that they had remodeled and became active volunteers. With that marriage, he became a stepfather to Laurie Kunzl and helped raise her.

Don is survived by his wife Annie; his son Mike Carson and his daughter-in-law Heather; stepdaughter Laura Kunzl and partner Mike Torres; and his grandchildren Blair Armstrong (Evan Sills), BreeAnna Carson, Baylee Carson, Erica Stewart and Jadin Torres; nephew George Zupanic and niece Mary Williams.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, niece Sara and his sister Mary Alice (Molly) Zupanic.

He was a wonderful husband, father and friend. He will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Senior Services of Island County, 14594 SR 525, Langley, WA 98260.

Visser Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.