Marlin Vernon Carson

Marlin Vernon Carson, a beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 9th, 2026, at the age of 81. Born on December 8th, 1944, in Holton, Kansas, Marlin was the son of Clem and Irene (Kientz) Carson. He attended Topeka High School and later started his own successful heating and air conditioning business.

Marlin's life was marked by an extraordinary passion and talent for creating and fixing things. A true car enthusiast, he found his greatest joy in working on projects in his garage. His skills were vast and varied—from woodworking and metalsmithing to plumbing and electrical work, there was little that Marlin couldn’t fix or build from scratch. Where other people saw junk, Marlin saw possibilities and a new project. 

On September 16th, 1967, Marlin married Karen L. Hazelitt, in Topeka. Though Karen preceded him in death on December 19th, 2007, the warmth of their marriage and the memories they shared remain forever imprinted in the hearts of those who knew them.

Marlin is lovingly remembered by his son, Shawn Carson, and his wife Amy of Wenatchee, Washington; his daughter, Tina Carson, and her husband Curt of Lawrence, Kansas; and his treasured grandchildren, Kellen and Audrey Carson. He was also survived by his two older brothers, Ronald Carson and Arthur Carson.

A graveside service to honor Marlin’s life will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, June 15th, 2026, at the Memorial Park Cemetery located at 3616 Southwest 6th Avenue in Topeka, Kansas.

To share a memory of Marlin for his family, please visit the guestbook below.