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Obituary for W. James Carson
Jim Carson of Cambridge, MA died peacefully the morning of April 10, 2014, at home with his wife Jeanie and his son, David. Jim was born on November 8, 1952, to William James Carson, Jr. and Dorothy Mink Carson, and grew up in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. He was a talented artist from an early age and graduated with a BFA from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. While there, he drew cartoons for the student newspaper, and afterwards he went on to a successful career in graphic arts. The many clients for Jim’s cartoons, illustrations, and designs include Saturday Evening Post, Boston Globe, WBUR, Rounder Records, and the Capitol Steps. He was an instructor at the Art Institute of Boston, and the MFA Program in Illustration and Graphic Design at Syracuse University and the University of Hartford. Above all, Jim was a great husband, father, brother, and friend. He was a follower of Jesus and active leader in Christian communities of Cambridge, including Ware Street house church, St. James Episcopal Church, and the Vineyard Church. Jim had the greatest laugh in the world and was a joy to be around. He soaked up every experience he could, whether music, art, reading, cooking, time with friends, neighbors and family, cycling, walks with dogs Zeke and Blake, or watching his beloved son David play soccer. Even after being diagnosed with leukemia-lymphoma a year and a half ago, Jim approached every challenge with his usual upbeat attitude, faith, and humor. In addition to his wife of 25 years, Jeanie, and his son David, Jim is survived by his sister Elaina, brother-in-laws John, Jim, and Peter, and sister-in-laws Rose and Suzanne, as well as numerous cousins, nephews, and dear friends. There will be a Watch for visiting with Jeanie and David, Sunday, April 13 @ 4 pm – 6 pm, Sanctuary Greater Boston Vineyard Church, 170 Rindge Avenue, Cambridge; Committal of Jim’s Ashes, Saturday, April 26, 10 am, Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge; Service to Celebrate Jim’s Life Sunday, April 27 @ 4 pm with reception following, Sanctuary Greater Boston Vineyard Church, 170 Rindge Avenue, Cambridge
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Joe V. Novenson
Jim Carson was, simply stated, one of the best "sermons in shoes" I have have ever been able to be near. My earliest memories of my deep cynicsm in high school about myself, meaning, beauty and significance met a gentle, light hearted and insightful challenge when I came near Jim. With a disarming simplicity and vulnerable candor about his own weakness and need, Jim spoke about Jesus, the Carpenter from Nazareth like he was in the next room and was as accessible as Coach Jackson's office. I remember thinking he was either nuts or he was right. There was simply no in between. I can say now...he was not nuts! He was so right! He was really so right! I will be his debtor for at least the first 5 billion years of what follows my last breath on this planet. Joe Novenson
Stephanie Abramides (Hittinger)
Thank you for sharing this Joe ... may his memory be eternal!
Deb L. Clifford
I knew Jim best from our Beaux Arts Club years at Beverly Hills. There were a handful of art geeks who squirreled ourselves away in the art room after school, nurtured by Lucille Carlton and encouraged by each other's presence when so many others were off at dances or athletic events. We spent many hours after school working on our projects, with Jim always being his funny and affable self. Even then, he was drawing inspired cartoons constantly. We drifted apart at UDHS but we always grinned and laughed when passing in the halls.
Years later, I was asked by the U.S. EPA to create a poster about ozone depletion, filled with 50-cent scientific terms that would make middle school kids go narcoleptic in a second. I suggested we use a comic book that could take readers from the stratosphere, down into the ocean, and under the microscope to explain the two complex phenomena in an easier way. I spent several unsuccessful weeks from my studio in California trying to locate Jim to invite him to collaborate on it. Turned out, he was living in Massachusetts while I was trying to find him in Pennsylvania.
If Google had only been around then... It would have been fun to work together again.
Rest in peace, my friend.
Mark S. Juliano
It is a bitter sweet sadness I feel as I learn of our loss of this talented and insightful Gentle Man....I remember it like yesterday our many, many quick and comically comfy exchanges as we would pass in the hallway between classes...and always my lingering joy as his laugh followed me to the next class...
His wit and vision was always 'right on' for me and I knew I could forever count on him to call-it-as-it-was....I will forever be thankful for him immortalizing me in our graduating issue of the Upi-Dah, where he had me smoking 3-4 jays at the same time....!?!
He will eternally remain in my heart and I will always think of him with great Strength and Honor as a Grand Friend..."Oh, Captain...MY Captain!?!"
.......Mark Juliano ~