Better known by generations of Drew Countians as Buddy, he was a Monticello merchant for many years, operating Carson's Grocery with his brothers Jack and Billy, until it closed in 1995, ending a family-owned tradition with roots tracing back to the late 1800's. An active participant in the life of his community, Buddy served on the Monticello School Board for 19 years; on the Union Bank & Trust Company's Board of Directors for 40 years; and as a long-time member, including terms as President, of the Monticello Rotary Club, the Monticello-Drew County Chamber of Commerce, and the Monticello Country Club. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church where he served on a variety of committees supporting the church's operations and the activities.
He attended Arkansas A&M College (now UAM) where he was a member of the notorious Wandering Weevils football team, playing football games against college teams around the country featuring antics such as cartwheels across the field and pedaling a bicycle into the middle of a play. He was honored by UAM in 2010 with the Continuing the Connection Award, and in 2011 with the Spirit Award by the UAM Sports Hall of Fame.
Buddy was a veteran of World War II, serving as a Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps. He enlisted in 1942, having already learned to fly at age 16 at the Monticello Air Field. The following year, he was called to the Army's flight training program and in 1944 he graduated from flight school as a B-17 pilot. He and his crew were assigned to the 401st Bomb Group in Deenethorpe, England where they flew 35 missions over Germany with the 8th Air Force. He received five Battle Stars, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and an Air Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters.
Survivors include his daughter, Kay Carson and her husband Paul McAbee of West Hartford, Connecticut; his daughter-in-law, Marsha Carson of Conway; two brothers, Jack and Billy Carson of Monticello; four grandchildren, Frank (Kris) Carson IV and his wife Rachel of Sydney, Australia, Savannah Carson and Scarlett Carson of Conway, and Anna Carson of New Orleans, Louisiana; and two great-granddaughters, Fiona Carson and Chloe Carson. He was predeceased by his wife, Eloise Groves Carson, his son, Frank (Kit) Carson III, and his sister, Athalie Carson Gabbie.
A memorial service in celebration of Buddy's life will be held on Friday, October 12 at 11 am at First United Methodist Church, Monticello.
Condolences(32)
Robert McDaniel
West Memphis, AR Wednesday, November 7, 2012 My thoughts and prayers are with you all.May God bless you, comfort you and keep you in this time of loss.
God bless you and keep you.
Robert Alan McDaniel
Marianne Jasay-Zeno
Little Rock, AR Wednesday, October 17, 2012 Dear Carson Family,I have very fond memories of Uncle Buddy and Carson's store. I can still see him back in the meat market cutting meat...Always with a smile, wanting to know what we were up to. What a wonderful life he had and what a blessing he was to many that he helped along the way. You all are in my prayers...Sending lots of love to Billy..
Love you all, Marianne
Wanda White Crockett
Stuttgart, AR Tuesday, October 16, 2012 Mr. Buddy has been in my life for as long as I can remember. All my "growing up" years we traded at Carson's Store and then I was honored to see him often the years I worked for Mr. McClendon at UB. My Mom enjoyed seeing him and Mr. Clay on "Monticello Live" so much. He was a wonderful man and will be missed by lovingly remembered!Ashley Price
Monticello, AR Tuesday, October 16, 2012 My prayers are with all the family. Mr. Buddy was one of the most positive and amazing men I've known. He lived an incredible life and was an inspiration to us all.Kathleen Edwards
Boston, MA Friday, October 12, 2012 Dear Carson Family,We are friends of Kay, Paul and Anna in Boston and have had the pleasure of knowing Buddy when he visited with them over the years. We are saddened by his death but I must say that I write these memories with a smile. Our sons are friends with Anna, from kindergarten until today, and it was always so fun to see Buddy with his granddaughter, Anna. In fact, we met Buddy at Anna's 6th birthday party 14 years ago. The last time we saw him was at a Red Sox game we went to together. He called his friends in Monticello from the game! My husband, a history buff, loved to talk with Buddy about his World War II experiences flying a B17. He was a gentleman and a national treasure. We salute him, and send our warmest condolences to his friends and family.
Love,
Kathleen, Richie, Gregory and Gomo Hall
Melinda Long Funderburg
Monticello, AR Wednesday, October 10, 2012 The Long family's thoughts and prayers are with you. Please know how much all the Carson family has meant to us over the past 50 years. Mr. Buddy will be greatly missed.Judy Long, Susanne Long Kibodeaux, Melinda Long Funderburg and Chip Long
Andrew Goodwin Gibbs
Frisco, TX Wednesday, October 10, 2012 Dear Carson Family:You are in our thoughts and prayers. My Grandmother, Lila Mae Goodwin, was a loyal customer and loved your family. "Carson's Grocery" provided hundreds of meals to all of the Goodwin Grandchildren. All of us fondly remember making the ride into town to go to "Carsons". They don't make em' like Carson's Grocery Store anymore.
Allen Jeter
Crossett, AR Tuesday, October 9, 2012 Just wanted all the Carson family to know my thoughts and prayers are with you at the loss of Mr. Buddy. I have special memories of what a nice man he was as I was growing up in Monticello. I spent a lot of time at my dad's Mobil place across the street from Carson's . One of my favorite places to go was across the street and be waited on by Mr. Buddy!!!!!Mary McCall
Decatur, GA Monday, October 8, 2012 Dearest Kay,From Afghanistan Steve Cash joins me in sending our love and condolences to you in the loss of your beloved dad. We wish we could be there at the memorial service, but we will be there in our hearts.
Love,
Mary McCall
Kay Allen
Little Rocl, AR Monday, October 8, 2012 What a remarkable man and exemplary life for involvement and service to his community. Another member of the "greatest generation" whose memory will live long after his life ended. My sympathy and prayers are with his family and friends at this time of great loss. We will all miss that big grin and sense of humor. Happy trails Buddy!Don & Kay Koen
Monticello, AR Saturday, October 6, 2012 B uddy was a fine person and will surely be missed by all .We are sorry we will not be able to attend memorial service,as we have to be out of town that day.Judy and Butch Selig
Monticello, AR Thursday, October 4, 2012 Kay and family,We were so saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. Buddy. He was a wonderful man who will be very much missed by this community. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Judy and Butch Selig
FRANK POLK
Black Mountain, NC Wednesday, October 3, 2012 Billy, Jack and family, So sorry to hear of Buddy,s death. He was a good friend and a great guy.God bless you all. Frank
James and Betsy Scroggs
Silver Spring, MD Wednesday, October 3, 2012 Our thoughts and prayers are with the Carson Family.Drnton Harris
Atlanta, GA Wednesday, October 3, 2012 A real icon for both Monticello and UAM. My wife and I loved meeting with Buddy and Clay Mitchell when we visited Montiecello. He will be missed, but his deeds will be remembered and treasured for ever.Jody Santoro
Rocky Hill, CT Wednesday, October 3, 2012 Kay and family,So sorry about your dad's passing. He was a kind, gentle soul and always had a twinkle in his eye when I saw him.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Love Jody, Tess & Max
James and Gladys Youngblood
Monticello, AR Tuesday, October 2, 2012 Mr. Buddy was our friend and neighbor for several years. He was a delight to be around. We enjoyed his friendship and the many stories of years gone by. We will miss him greatly. Loved Mr. Buddy. James and Gladyspatty young
McGehee, AR Tuesday, October 2, 2012 Our prayers got out to each of in the loss for your dad. My God give each of you the strength you need at this time.Love,
Eddie and Patty Young
Charles Clingman
Holly Pond, AL Tuesday, October 2, 2012 We offer our sincere condolences to the family; especially, to our cousin-in-law, Jack. Truly, Buddy was a champion to many.Charley & Jane Clingman
john lord
monticello, AR Monday, October 1, 2012 to all the carson family our neighbor mr jack you have our sympothyShirley Willis
Monticello, AR Monday, October 1, 2012 Bobby Carson was a very sweet person. He will be missed by everyone.Joyce Joyner Hightower
Tumbling Shoals, AR Monday, October 1, 2012 Jack, We will be thinking of you at this time. Sorry to hear about your brother. Eddie and JoyceBetty Sue McCluskey
Melbourne, FL Monday, October 1, 2012 With sincere sympathy from Betty and Miles Igo.Sarah Blackmon
Monticello, AR Sunday, September 30, 2012 I am so sorry about the passing of Buddy Carson, but thankful for his life and friendship. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and many friends who loved himmJanice G McAllister
Hot Springs Village, AR Sunday, September 30, 2012 My thoughts and prayers go out to you for Mr Buddy Carson's death. He was a fine Christian man whom we all loved. I have such fond memories of growing up with Carson's Grocery and the Children's Clothing Store. I had the priviledge to know the Carson families and had great admiration and love for them all. May God bless you in your time of sorrow, surround you with his peace and love and give you strength. May Mr Buddy's legacy go on in your family. With Sympathy, Janice Gladden Wiggam McAllisterSusan McClain Musick
, AR Sunday, September 30, 2012 Mr. Buddy was such a optimistic person and will be missed by so many in our church and community. Condolences to Kay and other family members and friends.Corinne Jackson Eldridge
Forrest City, AR Sunday, September 30, 2012 Just wanted you to know how sorry I was to learn of Buddy's death. I have so many great memories of him from the grocery store and all those tennis games he and my dad (James Jackson) played! He was such a great friend to my dad and our family!!!!....guess he may be the last of dad's friends....I know he is in a better place and I bet he and dad are swapping 'stories' in heaven!Walter & Norma Chapman
Monticello, AR Sunday, September 30, 2012 Norma and I send our condolences upon the loss of Mr. Buddy Carson our longtime friend. We will miss his smiling face and friendly greeting ; but his memory will live in our hearts. May the God of love bear you up on wings of love.Clara Cater
Monticello, AR Saturday, September 29, 2012 Our hearts are so sad at the Guesthouse at the passing of Mr. Carson, he was the sweetest man. We will miss him so much, he had such a robust laughter and I loved to hear him laugh, he was a joy to all of us. Our prayers and love are with his family.Clara Cater, the Staff and all the
Residents at Guesthouse:
Bobby Ellis Gilliam
Shreveport,, LA Saturday, September 29, 2012 We are so sorry for Buddy Carson who we enjoyed when wegrew up in Monticello, Ar. My Wife Margaret Tindall Gilliam and
! will be praying for Buddy and all his family. Such news is so
sad. My the Good Lord Bkess you all.
Pat Savage Montgomery
, TX Saturday, September 29, 2012 So sorry to hear about Mr. Buddy. He was such a sweet man. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.Carole Rushing
Woodlawn, AR Friday, September 28, 2012 Please accept our sincere condolences on your loss. Your are all in our thoughts and prayers. May the Lord Bless you with the peace and comfort that only He can at this difficult time.Owen and Carole Rushing