Dale R. Carlson

Dale Ray Carlson passed away on January 8, 2025 with his family by his side. He was born on December 28, 1948 in Sterling Colorado. Dale was adopted by Raymond and Pauline Carlson as an infant and moved to Fort Collins, Colorado. He was an only child. Dale graduated from Poudre High School in 1965. Growing up he had a passion for friendships, fast cars and Harley motorcycles. Having spent his whole life in Fort Collins he acquired many close friends in the people he met along the way.

In his younger years Dale could be found hanging out at Horsetooth Reservoir boating with friends or enjoying a draft beer on dime night at the Town Pump. This is where he met the love of his life, Sharon Wolf. They were married on December 7, 1974. They recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Dale and Sharon had 2 children, their son Travis Ray was born July 24, 1977 and daughter Jamie Elizabeth on March 16, 1979. Family meant everything to Dale. Dale was an entrepreneur at heart and owned several successful businesses in the Fort Collins area. Spring Creek Bar and Grill, Carlson's Investment and Management, The Colorado State Sports Network, and Pappy's Corner Pub just to name a few. Dale started working alongside his dad in the late 70s doing the accounting for the family ventures of property management and oil and gas rights while still running his own businesses. When Dale's dad passed away Dale took over all of the duties of running Carlson's and Company and the Pauline H Carlson Trust. Later Carlson's and Company became Carlson's Investment and Management. Dale enjoyed working and going into the office so much that he never retired from overseeing Carlson's Investment and Management's affairs.

Dale's dad Ray was a professor at Colorado State University and ran the score clocks at the football and men's basketball games for 27 years. Dale's parents instilled in him a love for Colorado State University and their sports programs. The Carlson family have been season ticket holders for football and men's basketball for over 60 years. They established the Raymond E Carlson Athletic Scholarship (endowment) in 1983 after Dale's dad passed away. If CSU called Dale with any fund raising efforts he would always generously step up and help out. This included building fences for the practice field, funding weight rooms, and locker room remodels. He participated in CSU fund raising drives, was a major supporter of the Rams Good Time Auction, CSU golf tournaments and helped fund the new stadium. At any given time you could find Colorado State athletic directors, coaches, and other CSU personnel hanging out at Dale's office. When Dale owned the Colorado State Sports Network (the radio network that broadcasts the football and men's basketball games) he would host an annual summer coaches party to honor and give them a chance to relax and unwind during the off season. Dale and Sharon Carlson won the Larry LaSasso Spirit Award from CSU in 2002. This award is given to couples who show exceptional spirit for Colorado State University.

At times Dale could come across as very business-like yet he was always a very soft hearted, generous, and caring man. There were many charitable organizations that Dale supported on a regular basis. The American Heart Association, Make-A-Wish Foundation, American Cancer Society, The Boys and Girls Club of Larimer County, and the Kidney Foundation just to name a few. Dale never wanted to be the center of attention so many times when he donated to charities or helped someone out no one would be the wiser.

Then there were the legendary "Friday Lunches". Sometime in the 80s Dale started having lunch on Fridays at the same time and location. While the location varied through the years people would always come. These lunches had some regulars that would almost always be there and then there would be people who would stop by when they could. These were people from all walks of life. It was a testament to how easily Dale made friends and how people wanted to hang out with him.

Dale was also the king of one liners. He had a sarcastic sense of humor that could always put people at ease and make them laugh. Even in his final days he was cracking jokes and giving people a hard time.

In Dale's spare time he enjoyed hanging out with his family, playing golf and racquetball, and bowling. He also always had at least one fast/sporty car. He never lost his love for cars. Dale was an accomplished golfer with a handicap of 7 in his younger years and could be found out on the golf course many summer days. He was a member of the Fort Collins Country Club, Fox Acres Country Club, Eaton Country Club and The Harmony Club.

Dale cherished his 3 grandchildren, Lily, Landon, and Logan. He supported and encouraged them in every part of their lives including sports activities, education, and being good human beings. The grandkids loved spending holidays, birthdays and watching movies and sports with their papa at his home.

Dale is survived by his wife, Sharon, son and wife, Travis and Christie Carlson, and daughter, Jamie Carlson. His grandchildren, Lily, Landon, and Logan Carlson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Pauline Carlson.

A celebration of life will be held at Huckabuk's Hideaway on January 25th from 1-5 pm, 3541 E. Harmony Rd, #110, Fort Collins, CO 80528. Memorial contributions can be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Larimer County, American Heart Association, or the Kidney Foundation.