Gene Carson

Gene Dale Carson, 90, died February 24, 2011, at Central Wyoming Hospice and Transitions, in Casper, Wyoming. Gene was born December 11, 1920, in Casper. He graduated from Natrona County High School in 1940. Throughout high school he was interested in photography, and was active in the Reserve Officer's Training Corps. He played the bugle. Gene joined the Army Air Corps March 11, 1941, serving with the 854 Bomb Squad. He was graduated from Lowry Field, Denver, Colorado, and assigned as a gunnery instructor at the air school in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gene was one of the first to arrive at the air school, and saw Las Vegas when it was a small town. He was then stationed in England, where he was an instructor, and served as a gunner on aerial missions over Germany. After the war, Gene attended watchmaker school in Los Angeles, California, returning to Casper, where he was the watchmaker for Tripeny Drug and Jewelry. His bench was a fixture in Tripeny's window for almost 35 years. Gene then went on to establish Gene's Watch Repair. He had space at the Gibson's store in Casper, and later at Hart's Jewelry. Gene married Dorothy Louise Koch February 20, 1949. They had one child, Susan Dale Carson, and resided in Casper. Gene and Dorothy built a cabin on Casper Mountain. Gene continued his interest in photography, birds and birding. Dorothy passed away in 1987. Gene is survived by his daughter Susan, his niece Lynn Quealy, of Casper, and long-time dear companion Dorothy St. John, of Mills, and his good friends of the 'breakfast club' at the west-side McDonald's. A memorial gathering will be held Thursday, March 3, 2011, at 2:00 PM at the Mills Community Hall, 426 Fourth St., in Mills. Dress will be casual. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Central Wyoming Hospice and Transitions will be much appreciated.