Our beloved husband, father, uncle, friend and “Ford” guy passed away on June 29th 2011 at the age of 51. Born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to father Will, a television news anchor and mother, Donna, a homemaker both of whom precede him in death, Hal possessed a potent combination of drive, keen intelligence and wit like none other. Hal grew up in Virginia Beach, VA and graduated top of his class from Princess Anne High School. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 1982 after serving as President of the university’s student-owned and operated radio station, WUVA.
Having media in his blood, he worked progressively in more senior roles on the media side of the advertising industry, culminating in Media Director positions at several top agencies while traversing the U.S. from Richmond, VA, Minneapolis, MN, Kalamazoo, MI, Portland, OR, Philadelphia, PA and Los Angeles, CA. He loved his work especially when it involved automobiles or anything that could go fast. On the weekends, he would find great pleasure sitting at home watching NASCAR or taking a drive in his 1967 Ford Fairlane station wagon with his family.
Survived by his wife, Leslie and their two children, Sachi and Ford; his brother Nick (Michigan); sister Cyndi (Virginia); the Koyama family and of course his dog, TT. Family was Hal’s universe. He found genuine happiness and contentment in being a homebody, because home and everything it represented, was where he most loved to be.
Hal was diagnosed with esophageal/stomach cancer in 2008. He passed away at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Friends are invited to attend Hal’s Party on Sunday, September 11th from 4-7pm at the Automobile Driving Museum, 610 Lairport Street, El Segundo, CA. Please go to the mortuary’s website, www.LAfuneral.com to send the family messages and share memories.
Rice Mortuary–Torrance, 310-792-7599
William “Hal” Carlson
