Enos James Carlson

Enos James Carlson, 95, passed away August 12, 2011 in Aurora, Colorado. He was born June 2, 1916, in Logan, Utah, to Ezra James and Catherine Worley Cowley Carlson. He attended schools in Logan and graduated from Logan High School. He then attended Utah State University, graduating in Civil Engineering. He pursued his education by studying and receiving a Masters degree from the University of Minnesota. He married his college sweetheart, Jennie Duke, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. He then served in the US Army as an enlisted officer during WWII in an engineering battalion, spending time in the Pacific, and participating in the landings at Leyte and Okinawa. The War ended as he was among those preparing to invade Japan. He continued in the Reserves until he reached the office of Colonel. He began working for the US Bureau of Reclamation, which brought his family to the Denver area. Colorado then became his home for the next half century. His life's work involved research into spillway design, and other water transport projects. He retired from the Bureau after 42 years of service. While working for the Bureau, he took it upon himself to try and learn Russian, so he could assist in translating technical documents in his field. He was successful enough that he sometimes served as a translator for visiting Russian engineer delegations. He also made several trips to Russia to represent the US at various engineering conferences. Throughout his career, his work took him to conferences in Japan, Spain, Pakistan and various other countries. His love for sports and activity led him to start up some tennis tournaments at work, and they became a widespread activity. He played well and played hard enough that he won tournaments several different years in his category. He loved to play tennis and was a focused competitor. He also loved to be learning, and often took classes on various subjects, from programing computers to statistics and more. He enjoyed keeping his garden up well into his late 80s. One of his favorite pieces of advice was ""if you are trying to learn something, read a book on it"". He was active in voluntary service in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, actively teaching youth, assisting in helping the poor, and in serving those in need. He followed the Master, in action and precept. He served where his leaders called him to serve, including 8 years as a Bishop of a local congregation. Many looked to him as their spiritual leader and fondly remembered those years. Later he served for 9 years as a Counselor to the Mission Presidents who supervised the area of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and New Mexico. His true love after retirement was serving in the Denver Colorado LDS Temple, where ordinances are performed for those who have passed on without the opportunity to receive baptism and live the teachings of the Savior. For the next 21 years he loved to spend his time serving in the Temple, driving across town, rain, snow or shine. Finally his health no longer allowed him to do all that he wanted to in this area of service. He is survived by four children, Carolyn (Jon) Keller, of Thornton, Colorado; Gary (Kathy) Carlson, of Las Vegas, Nevada; J.D. (Jean) Carlson, of Aurora; and Janice (Clyde) Robinson, of Provo, Utah; 13 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and sister, Ella Jean (Fay) Messinger . He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jennie Elthora Duke Carlson; and siblings, Venice Carlson, Rada Allred, Dwain Carlson, Elsie Yeates, Margaret Carlson, Vernon Carlson and Lois Thorpe. A public visitation will be held at the Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 11150 East Dartmouth Avenue (at South Parker Road), Aurora, CO on Tuesday, August 16, 2011 from 5:00-7:00pm. An additional visitation will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 11100 E. Alameda Ave., Aurora, on Wednesday, August 17, 2011 from 9:30-10:45am. The Funeral Service will be held at the Church, beginning at 11:00am. A Memorial service will be held in Utah on Saturday, August 20, 2011, 1:00pm at the Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 East Center Street, Logan, Utah 84321. For those wishing to greet the family, a visitation will begin at 12:00 noon at the Mortuary. Burial will then be in the Logan Cemetery, 1000 North 1200 East, Logan, Utah 84321. To share memories and/or condolences with the family, click on the ""sign guestbook"" tab below.