Brett John Carlson 1992-2011
Brett John Carlson 1992-2011
Brett John Carlson, 19, died in Boise on November 28, 2011.
He was born on March 31, 1992 at 4:51 pm to James Dahlund Carlson and Margaret
Ellen Carlson. Brett has an older brother, Matthew James Carlson with whom he
shared a very special bond.
Over the last five months, Brett was living in the family’s
lake house in Donnelley, Idaho while working in the McCall area and often came
to Boise to visit for long weekends. He was looking forward to starting his new
job as a ski instructor for this upcoming season at Brundage ski resort in
McCall.
After graduating from Boise High School in 2010, Brett
attended the University of Idaho and completed his freshman year with good
grades. He was a natural athlete with a highly developed intellectual
curiosity. Brett exhibited leadership, a
passion for all people and sought fun and good times. He showed early talents:
beginning with GATE and continuing through his teen years, he excelled at
writing and literature, math, music and science. He was also involved in many
competitive sports throughout his life.
Brett especially treasured the seasons at Cascade Lake with
family and friends. Holidays were shared with extended family and the Carlson
boys’ good friends each year. Many of Matt’s friends also became Brett’s
friends due to shared experiences and favorite memories. He was an avid
sportsman who loved to fish, hunt, wakeboard, ski, kayak, mountain bike and
scuba dive.
The Carlsons were a ski racing family and spent winter
seasons traveling with both boys to ski race destinations around the state and
to resorts like Mammoth, Beaver Creek, Vail, and Whistler/Blackcomb. He put
many miles on his skis and spent happy days in the gates and in terrain parks
at Bogus Basin, Sun Valley, and Tamarack resorts. He was typically on the
podium as a top finisher.
Brett was hit by a car in a near fatal accident at age 11
that sidelined him for months but which he refused to let define him. He fought
back through rehab and returned to play tennis, ski, and swim competitively for
Boise High.
The Carlson boys enjoyed many trips and family excursions
that were filled with fishing, story telling, and much love with extended
family in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
Known for his huge heart, big chuckle and mischievous smile,
Brett was confident in who he was and in what he believed. He shared his
opinions freely and was always up for philosophical debates about values,
beliefs and world issues. Brett had a deep and involved relationship with God
and had recently decided to dedicate his life to saving lives. His brushes with
death had convinced him that he was different and that God would always allow
him to survive any danger. Brett had an indomitable outlook; he never felt
threatened in any circumstance. This was
a defining characteristic of his life and death.
Brett was preceded in death by his Grandpa Maynard Parks and
his Granny Lorrain Carlson. He is survived by his mother, his father, his
brother Matt, and Matt’s fiancé Anna Marie Limbaugh. He is also survived by his
Grandma Janet Parks and Michael Margulies; Grandpa Erv Johnson and Ginger
Scott; and Grandpa Herb Carlson. He was loved by Uncle Herb John and Mel
Carlson and cousin John; Aunt Carole Ann Carlson and Jim Hancock; Aunt Becky
and Uncle Marc Sorenson and cousins Bill and Katie; and Uncle Brad and Aunt
Stephanie Johnson and cousins Ashley, Jessie, Craig, Kristen, Brendan and
Derek. He shared many special memories and love with the entire Schwarz clan
who also loved him deeply.
Brett’s circle of friends was expansive, deep and life
changing. Some friendships began in kindergarten or at Longfellow Elementary
and continued throughout his life. He wrote often about their good times and
recorded their jam and freestyle rap sessions. He fell in love his senior year
and wrote songs and poetry about his first love.
We are thankful to the owners of Forest Property Management,
McCall, Aaron and Karen Harvey and Mike and Tama Lamm who employed Matt and
then Brett. Brett was strong and hard working and enjoyed time after the
workday was over with Aaron and his family.
Brett lived fully and had experiences and insights that were
rare for someone still so young. His heart led him through his life. Everyone
who knew him remarked that he had a huge impact on their lives and that he made
them better for having known and been loved by him. Brett was larger than life
and we are all richer for having shared his journey with him for 19 years.
"Greatness is not measured by how much time you had on this earth, but
what you did with the time given."
The family would greatly appreciate your stories and
memories of Brett and invite you to visit the page In Loving Memory of Brett
John Carlson on Facebook.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Brett’s name
may be sent to the Brett John Carlson Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of the
Idaho Community Foundation, 2010 West State Street, Boise ID 83702.
A celebration of Brett’s life will be held on December 9th
in the Emmaus Center at the Cathedral of the Rockies at 717 N. 11th Street at
3:00 PM.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Brett John Carlson 1992-2011, please visit our flower store.
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