Clifford Martin Carlson

Newport Beach, California - Clifford Carlson, 91, passed away on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at Hoag Hospital due to complications from congestive heart failure.

Clifford is survived by his two sons, Clifford Carlson Jr. and Victor Carlson; his daughter, Kimberly Abay; son-in-law, Ahmet Abay; daughter-in-law, Shelley Carlson; and his three beloved grandchildren, Jasmine Abay, Kelly Carlson, and Joshua Abay.

Born on January 3, 1933, in Kane, Pennsylvania, Clifford was the fifth of seven children of Esther Alma Elizabeth (Anderson) and Walter Rudolph Carlson. Clifford’s father was a skilled machinist and stone mason who passed on his brick-laying skills to his son. His mother was a devoted homemaker who cared deeply for her family.

In the 1930s, Clifford’s parents relocated the family to Pico Rivera, California. During their early years there, the family faced hardships, living in a tent for a couple of years after losing their trailer on the road. Despite these challenges, Clifford remembered his mother’s love and care, ensuring the children were always well-dressed. Eventually, the family was provided with an old house by their church, which became their home for many years. Clifford’s father later built a new house on the same site in the 1950s.

Growing up, Clifford developed a strong work ethic. He started working at a young age, doing odd jobs like selling newspapers, shining shoes, mowing lawns, and sweeping floors. He even helped care for the family’s livestock and sweep floors at a grocery store before school. After school he worked in a restaurant washing dishes until late at night. Clifford’s determination and hard work led him to buy his first car while still in high school.

After high school, Clifford laid bricks before joining the Army in the 1950s. He was one of 15 men selected to go to Alaska to build towers near Russia. After serving in Alaska, he was stationed in Palm Springs, California, before leaving the Army in 1952, just as the Korean War ended. Though his commanding officer offered him a promotion to sergeant he chose to return home.

In 1952, Clifford met Virginia, the love of his life. After courting her, they married on March 10, 1956, and enjoyed 65 wonderful years together until Virginia’s passing in 2021. They raised three children—Clifford Jr., Victor, and Kimberly—in El Monte, California. Together, they became landlords and enjoyed traveling to Palm Springs and Blythe, collecting antiques, and spending time with family and friends. Throughout the years before retiring, he continued to work as a mason.

Clifford was passionate about his "River House" in Blythe, where he built a dock and created art pieces on the property that became well-known in the community. He loved fishing, telling stories, giving compliments, and telling jokes to make people laugh. He enjoyed entertaining everyone playing songs on his harmonica. His kind and generous spirit touched the lives of everyone he met. He was always ready to lend a helping hand and was deeply supportive of his loved ones. His memory will forever be cherished, and he will be missed every day by those who knew and loved him. His legacy will live on in the hearts of those who were lucky enough to know him. Let us carry his spirit with us, keeping his memory alive in everything we do.