Ellwood Miller Carlson

Ellwood Miller Carlson moved on from this life into the loving arms of his eternal sweetheart Venna and his savior Jesus Christ on April 10, 2023 peacefully in his home in Kaysville Utah Surrounded by his loving family.

Ellwood was born March 18 1930 in Salt Lake City Utah to Keith E and Viola Miller Carlson. When he was four, his Family moved to Bountiful Utah where his best friend and brother Grant was born. Ellwood grew up working in the family fruit orchard where he learned the value of hard work. His Dad worked long hours at Cudahay meat packing, so Ellwood would sneak out of the house in the middle of the night and go up the hill to take care of their water turn so his dad could sleep. This is a characteristic that our Dad had throughout his life. He often sacrificed his comforts so that other’s life would be a bit easier.

The area he grew up fit him perfect, from catching magpies for pets, to killing and skinning rattle snakes, training fighting chickens for his dad and experiencing all the adventures of a young boy. His family loved the outdoors hunting and fishing which he enjoyed throughout his life and passed on to his children.

He attended Stoker elementary, South Davis Junior High and rode the Bamburger train to Davis High.  He worked on farms and nurseries through high school. After High school he saw that he would be drafted into the Korean War, so he and his best friend Duane Eggett went on one last fishing trip. Upon returning home they enlisted in the Air Force. After basic training in Shreveport Louisiana, he had aspirations of being a nose gunner but ended up in communications. After this training he was sent to the front lines in Korea climbing telephone poles and dodging bullets to keep communications open for the front line. After Korea Dad came back home on leave and married his eternal sweetheart on January 19^th 1953. They then were sent to spend the last year and a half of his duty in Washington DC, where he stood along the side of President Ezra Taft Benson while he blessed their eldest son Keith. Dad was always so proud he was able to serve his country and was proud to have done it in the Korean War

After moving back to Bountiful they had 3 more sons, Rick, Mike and Brian. Upon completion of his service to his country, Dad went to work at Hill Air Force base for a short time and then started working for Foss Lewis Construction operating heavy equipment. Foss Lewis started him out on a cable backhoe mounted on an old army truck, which he soon mastered the operation of this. Through the years equipment got better and so did he. He was known as the best track hoe operator there is. Many say that he could “part your hair with his hoe“, he was that good. Foss always treated him like family and the Lewis/Carlson family became one. This family was an incredible friendship going hunting, fishing, golfing, playing softball, hauling hay, horse racing and occasionally even working together. 

Dad loved the Lord with all his heart, and was always willing to serve in any capacity. Dad would always volunteer to work on the Stake farm or take any assignment at the mill. He also served at the Bishops storehouse. He served in callings from Stake Missionary, Stake High councilman, Ward Executive Secretary, and any calling he could help out with.  He was called to the Young Mens presidency which ended up being the perfect calling for him. He always had love for people but through his and Mom’s life they had a special love for the Youth, having impacted the lives of countless young men and women.  It always brightened their day as these Youth continue to return to him the love that he gave to them. As these Youth went out on their missions, Dad always made it a point to send letters as often as possible.

Dad had a great knowledge of many things, teaching and helping everyone he could. His hobbies were many from fishing, golfing, fruit trees, gardening, incredible leatherwork, woodworking, welding, fixing anything, but his favorite was doing oil paintings and giving them away, and also teaching painting.

Dad’s life is best described as a life of service. He would often sacrifice his time, money or talents to help others in any way he could. He was often known to “get by” while he gave the best to others. The best gift Dad gave everyone was his Love and Respect.

The family would like to send out a heart felt Thank you to all who helped us through the past 4 years, especially to the neighbors and ward members and the incredible nurses and aids from Caregivers Support and to anyone that put a smile on Dad’s face especially in his last few days.

Dad is preceded in death and is currently enjoying a glorious reunion with his Eternal Sweetheart Venna, his parents Keith and Viola, his best friend and brother Grant, and his Granddaughter Elisa.

Dad is survived by his four sons, Keith (Donna), Rick (Karla), Mike (Claudia), Brian (Kaylene), 12 Grandchildren, 16 Great Grandchildren, 2 Great-Great Grandchildren

Funeral Services will be held Saturday April 15, 2023 at 11:00 am at the Deseret Chapel, 925 Deseret Drive, Kaysville Utah, with a viewing being held from 9:45-10:45. Family and friends may call Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 at the Russon Brothers Bountiful Mortuary, 295 North Main St. Bountiful, Utah. Interment in the Bountiful Cemetery.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary and Crematory Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.

The ward will be providing services through Zoom using the following link. https://zoom.us/j/8015559999?pwd=SUEzaW5wVkp5NkhVMmdZUlIwem9RUT09

Meeting ID: 801 555 9999

Passcode: 12345