GLEN ALLEN—David Leon Carlson of Glen Allen died September 2, 2018, after a 15-year courageous fight with cancer.
Mr. Carlson was born on March 22, 1954 in Richmond.
He is survived by one teenage son, Nathanial, 16, of Glen Allen.
He is predeceased by his beloved parents, Hilton Weymouth Carlson and Marcella Flint Carlson of Kilmarnock; and his beloved sister, Jean Carlson Dunaway. Other survivors include his aunt, Jane Flint Birdsong and her husband, Tom; cousin, Susan Jane Flint; and special niece, Meghgan Elizabeth Anthony, all of Lancaster. Mr. Carlson is also survived by longtime friend and devoted employee, Georgeanna K. Harper of Richmond; Lisa Anne Kelley of Glen Allen; Carolyn C. Durham of Charlottesville; and Notre Dame roommate, Kevin S. Nosbusch of Mequon, Wisconsin.
Mr. Carlson was a graduate of The University of Notre Dame and the University of Richmond Law School. He began his legal career right after graduation by serving as the youngest legal counsel and executive assistant to a Virginia governor by serving John N. Dalton. Being entrusted with this responsibility at such a young age, was one of Mr. Carlson’s proudest accomplishments. Upon leaving the governor’s office in 1982, he worked for a brief while at the White House during the first term of President Ronald Reagan, after which he joined one of the premier defense attorneys’ in Richmond where he next worked with his mentor, Nick Esposito, where he honed his courtroom skills.
After Mr. Esposito retired, Mr. Carlson carried on and expanded the firm of Carlson & Collier, which is a thriving criminal defense law firm in Richmond. Mr. Carlson practiced law from 1983 to 2018.
Mr. Carlson was a member of Masonic Lodge No. 302 in Richmond. He was an avid and accomplished musician, having worked with Bill Deal and the Rhondels during the summers of the 70s and 80s.
Ever more the devoted alumnus, there were very very few Notre Dame football games that he missed, either in person or off a feed of a special satellite dish installed at his home for him and his friends. There were many years of Saturdays of revelry and good times for David and his many Notre Dame friends. He was a lifelong fan of the Green Bay Packers, having attended the famous Ice Bowl in Green Bay on December 31, 1967. More recently he was able to attend with his son, Nathanial, Georgeanna K. Harper and Kevin S. Nosbusch, the Superbowl 45 in 2010 in Dallas, Texas, where his beloved Packers were once again triumphant.
Out of all his accomplishments his proudest was his son, Nathanial. Those who knew him well will tell you that the day that child came into his life, it changed his life for the better.
He will be deeply missed by his family and many friends. The family will be forever grateful to Dr. David F. Trent and his staff for the years of loving care that were extended to David, especially Kimie Wadlron.
The family will receive friends for visitation from 5-8:30 p.m. Friday, September 7, at Bennett Funeral Home, West Chapel, 11020 West Broad Street, Glen Allen. Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 8, at All Saints Episcopal Church, Richmond and conducted by the Rev. Dr. Brent Melton and the Rev. Judy Davis. Interment will follow at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Roseland Cemetery, Reedville.
