David Thomas Carson (75) loving husband, father, Papa, and Coach, passed away in Spokane, WA, on October 22, 2023. Born on July 7, 1948, to George and Cecilia Carson, in San Francisco, California, he was the youngest of 4 siblings. He graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1966, and enlisted in the US Marine Corps. He served with the 1st Marine Recon Battalion in Da Nang, Vietnam, from February 1968 - March 1969. Returning home, he attended San Francisco State where he played left tackle on the Gator Football Team. He was recently inducted into the 2023 Gridiron Gator Hall of Fame.
Graduating in 1974 with his bachelor's and master's from SF State, he coached at Long Beach State, CSUN, Crispi High School, and Burbank High School where he met Sherry, his wife of 36 years. After their daughter Ann was born the family relocated to Spokane Washington where David coached and taught at Rogers High School and then Gonzaga Prep. "Coach" was his identity, and people continued to call him this until the day he died.
David lived a life of service, always seeking to help, lead, teach, mentor and donate. He served his God through his ministries with St. John Vianney. He served his country in uniform and his players and students in the lessons he taught them about integrity, honor, and humility. He was a man of deep loyalty, the value he treasured above all others, and he aimed to embody it on a daily basis. He was loyal to his God, his country, his family, his Marine Battalion, his teammates, and his players, students, and friends.
David was preceded in death by his parents George and Cecilia Carson, and his sister Marianne Levy. He is survived by his wife, Sherry, his daughter, Ann, son-in-law Stefan Muntwyler, his grandchildren Joshua and Elise Muntwyler, his brother Mike, sister Donna, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, former players and treasured friends.
A rosary will be held at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Spokane Valley on November 17, at 6:00pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated there on Saturday, November 18, at 11:00 am. A reception will follow at Gonzaga Prep's Barbieri Center. He will be laid to rest at Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake, Washington. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. John Vianney Parish School or Gonzaga Prep in Spokane, or to Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep in San Francisco. Online memorial page can be found at www.holycrossofspokane.org
Published by Spokesman-Review on Oct. 29, 2023.
"Dave Dog" was a great coach, mentor, and leader. He gave me my first coaching job and taught me a lot about the sport and how to organize a team.
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