Alfred Carson

Known by his family for his dedication to them, known by his Church for his unwavering faith, and appreciated by all who knew him for his generosity, humility and integrity, Alfred E. “Al” Carson passed into heaven on February 6, 2020. By the grace of God, he was surrounded by his wife, Dorothy, all nine of his children, and other family members. Al was 91 years old. Born to Thomas and Margaret Carson in 1928, he was the youngest of their nine children. They lived in the heart of St. Philip Neri Parish on the Indianapolis Eastside, where the families were plentiful and he made lifelong friends. He attended St. Philip Grade School and Cathedral High School. He then transferred to St. Meinrad School of Theology, where he studied for 6 years in the Minor Seminary. There, he again made deep friendships that enriched his entire life. But his vocation was not to be the priesthood. Instead, it was the vocation of marriage, to the love of his life, Dorothy. During nearly 65 years, they built their marriage on the foundations of faith, family and their love for each other. Like each of his older brothers, Al served his country in the United States Army. His tour of duty was in Korea. One of the rare Army stories Al shared with his family involved a fellow soldier who drew enemy fire to earn his unit extra combat pay. It was always hard to picture Al, with his peaceful nature, in the infantry. When he returned from serving his country, he began work in the insurance industry, eventually making this his lifelong career. He became a partner at an insurance agency in Bridgeport, Indiana. Then he founded his own agency, just down the street. With the help of his brother-in-law, they physically built the structure themselves. Through the help of several partners, compassionate and fair customer service, and thousands of evenings of returning to work after supper, he created a thriving business. When he retired from managing the agency, several of his sons and daughters took up his responsibilities and his commitment to integrity in serving their customers. However, Al and Dorothy continued to “come to work” a few hours each day through Al’s 90 years! The insurance agency sustained his family financially, but it was Al and Dorothy’s devotion to their faith, their children and each other that sustained their family in every other way. Attending daily Mass before work, serving on parish committees, generously supporting his Church and numerous missionary efforts, he taught his children by quiet example, and none of them wanted to disappoint him. Al and Dorothy were firm believers in Catholic education. Each child received the offer of 16 years of Catholic schooling. The final count came to 143 “years” worth of tuition payments, provided at great sacrifice, but happily given. At the same time, Al and Dorothy took to heart the belief that parents are their children’s first teachers. Al supported his children in their schoolwork, in as many of their activities as he could attend, and in family time. He was the pitcher for backyard kickball games, the “singer at the sink” while washing dishes, the gardener who taught his children to love flowers and yard spaces, and the sports enthusiast who branded a love for Notre Dame and a fondness for the St. Louis Cardinals on all our hearts. All in all, he shared a legacy that lives on through his wife, his children, his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren—a legacy of love for life, a legacy of love for his family and a legacy of love for his faith, including his belief that our greatest gift is the promise of eternal life with God. It’s our belief that promise has been fulfilled for him. Al is survived by his beloved wife, Dorothy C. Carson (nee Bates), And his loving children, Mary Shaughnessy (John), Tom (Karen), Ceil Roebuck (Joe), Phil (Teri), Jeannie Legge (Norm), Ed (Kandi), Katie, Ann Hartman (Tony) and Patti Lamb (David). He is also survived by his grandchildren John (Jen), Brian (Kathleen), and Kathleen; Ben (Maren), Chris (Billi), and Jill (Donnie); Diana (Brandon), Laura (Donovan) and Nick; Tony (Loren), Matt (Beth), Michael (Katie) and Kristina (Sam); Rachel (Will), Anna Marie and Danny; Andrew, Brian, Collin, Kara and Maria; Sam and Grace; Margaret and Henry, and 18 great-grandchildren. Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing on Saturday, February 15, from 9 a.m. to 12 Noon at St. Christopher Church, 5301 W. 16th Street, Speedway, and to his Funeral Mass at the Church, beginning at 12 Noon. Internment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Indianapolis, IN. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Miracle Place, 940 N. Temple Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46201.