James Carlson Obituary

James Eric Carlson was born July 8, 1968 in Kadoka South Dakota. He was the last of ten children born to Leonard and Lillian (Erickson) Carlson and grew up on a ranch about 15 miles outside of Kadoka. Everyone would agree he was a “mamas boy".

James enjoyed time on any ranch he could be on, and enjoyed being with horses and helping with brandings which were things he lived for. He helped many friends, family, and neighbors on their ranches. If you ever needed help James was the first one to volunteer to help.

He loved bragging about his two girls (Whitney & Jaelyn) he always said “can you believe I have two girls as beautiful as them" or “how did they come out of me“! haha He was very proud his girl’s successes. He shared a special passion with horses with his only granddaughter Kiah. He bought her her first bb gun and cowgirl hat. James could not of been more excited to give them to her, and he almost opened the packages before her!

James also loved being at the daycare with all the kids, cracking jokes, looking goofy to make them laugh, and getting them all wound up!

His love for cowboy boots was always pretty special. He had a story about them all and never wanted to be without his yellow ones!

James loved all classical music such as Guns N' Roses, Metallica, Lynyrd Skynyrd, just to name a few!

Grateful for sharing his life with are his daughters Whitney (Bucky) Rawhouser of Newcastle Wyoming and Jaelyn Carlson of Rapid City; his brothers Larry (Robin) Carlson of Pierre, Charlie (Kathleen) Carlson, Mark (Tammy) Carlson, Lavonne Carlson, Glenda Carlson all of Kadoka; Lesa - his very best friend, and (Sid) Addison of Tuthhill; granddaughter Kiah Wineteer; and alot of nieces and nephews he loved dearly - way too many to list them all! He also had numerous of other relatives he cared for.

James was proceeded in death by his parents Leonard and Lillian Carlson; brothers Lenus and Lonny Carlson, and sister Marlene Perault.

James will be missed so dearly by so many as well as his loud laugh and silly jokes! It is see you soon, never goodbye.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral service at the auditorium.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 12, 2021 at the Kadoka City Auditorium with Pastor Gus Craven officiating. The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed from this webpage when it begins.

Service Details

FUNERAL SERVICE
Friday, March 12, 2021- 1:00 p.m.
City Auditorium
Kadoka, South Dakota

CLERGY
Pastor Gus Craven

MUSIC
"Jesus and Mama"
"See You When I See You"

USHERS
Bert Perault - Jerad Carlson

POEM READER
Greg Badure

PALLBEARERS
Kahler Addison - Luke Carlson - Jared Carlson
Johnny Rodgers - Colter Carlson - Bert Perault
Frank Carlson - Jesse Carlson - Seth Carlson - Kevin Carlson

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

Guest Book

So sorry for your loss of James. So sad to lose family members. Thinking of you all.

~ Lavern & Dianne Terkildsen Wall, SD 57790 (3/8/2021)

I am so saddened to hear of James leaving us! I think we all have many many fun times! RIP
~ Bonnie Moses Nebraska (3/10/2021)

Prayers for your lost.
~ Arlys Klundt Box Elder (3/7/2021)

I am saddened to hear of James' death. Will be thinking of you all as you say your goodbyes. Sympathy and prayers for all. And lots of hugs.
~ Donna Bodkin Craven Rapid city (3/7/2021)

SD
~ Lori (Stangle) Kelly Philip (3/16/2021)

Heartfelt sympathy and loving thoughts and prayers to all of James' dear family.
~ Vern & Roxy Richardson (3/9/2021)

South Dakota
~ Cheryl and Malon Anderson Fort Pierre (3/14/2021)

I haven't seen James for a few years, but have many memories of him. When I was younger he was the ring leader of getting a bunch of us kids to get on Grandma Carlson's shetland pony two or three at a time and see who would be the last one on when it started bucking. I think we all got into a little trouble over that one. Thinking of all the Carlson family at this time. RIP James
~ E. J. Engelhaupt Gillette, WY (3/10/2021)

What a shock it was to hear James had passed away. My heart just sank to the bottom of my stomach. James has always been a friend of the family. Him and my brother Tom were very good friends and shared a lot of the same traits. They are together again up in heaven with our parents and I am sure they are still figuring out ways to get into mischief. James is going to be missed there is no doubt about that, especially this time of year with all the brandings coming up. R.I.P James.
~ Ellie (Brown) Bettelyoun Martin (3/9/2021)

Prayers for the family. He is visiting Mom and Dad right now and remembering all of the good times. Bless you all.
~ Betty Lou Stratton Pierre, SD (3/8/2021)

The first time I met James was at a fall gathering at Don Clay Word's, James and I rode together. I liked him immediately and we became fast friends. Chris and I both enjoyed James and his love of life and the cowboy lifestyle. RIP my friend and may God be with all his family.
~ Chris and Diana Elwood Volborg, MT (3/9/2021)

So sorry for your family loss. So hard to have any family member leave us. Thinking of all of you at this time.
~ Deb Mednansky-Hall Egan, SD (3/12/2021)