Gene Pastor Carlson
July 13, 1937 ~ March 28, 2020
Pastor Gene Carlson, 82, received his eternal reward and passed early Saturday morning March 28, 2020. He served Pathway/Westlink Christian Church as senior pastor for 42 years. Born July 13, 1937 to Ivar and Pearl Carlson in Wakefield, NE, where he attended K-12. Gene followed a track scholarship to KSU but continued his calling to serve Christ and received a Bachelor’s of Ministry from Manhattan Bible College. While attending Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, IN, Gene married Janet in 1962 and was the founding pastor of Southport Heights Christian Church until moving to Pathway/Westlink Church in 1964 where he retired in 2006. Gene loved to hunt, fish, golf and climb mountains. He always opened a sermon with humor and made friends wherever he went. Above all he loved to serve the Lord and teach and traveled the world as a disciple teaching others to do the same. He is survived by his wife of almost 58 years, Janet; son, Mark Carlson; daughters, Julie (Dirk) Cushenbery; Jenny Carlson Spriggs all of Wichita; sister, Beth Laue of Burbank, CA; brother, Terry R. (Linda) Carlson of St. Joseph, MO; many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Viewing will be from 9:00am – 4:00 pm, Wednesday, April 1, 2020 and Thursday, April 2, 2020 at Downing & Lahey Mortuary West Chapel. The Memorial Service is available to be watched from Pathway Churchs website at: https://pathwaychurch.com/blog/pastor-gene-carlson-memorial-service. A memorial has been established with Pathway Church, 2001 N. Maize Rd., Wichita, KS 67212.
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We will never forget the wonderful man who stood before us and united us in marriage before our Lord. Gene and Janet have been a major part of the Munson Family for over 40 years and his ever present faith and friendship will never be forgotten.
Blessings to the family. What a special man Pastor Gene was and is…now in the hands of his/our Heavenly Father. Gene was such a blessing in my life and I am forever grateful for the Word of God he implanted in my life. Blessings to all family members…we will meet again one day…what a joyful day that will be.
Dear Janet and family. We were a young couple with a toddler and pregnant with our second when we started attending Westlink. The months we attended, before we moved out of state, were life changing to us and to our boys. Gene taught God’s word in a way we had never heard. And the church gathered around us in a way we had never witnessed. 23 years later we love and serve Jesus because of the examples we saw and learned from at WCC. We praise God for Gene and your family. We look forward to seeing all of you in our heavenly home. And we pray for you as you miss Gene. Much love, in Christ – Julie Thompson and family.
Our prayers are continuing for your Janet, Jenny, Julie & Mark. We have been truly blessed to have met Gene in our lives. We have some great and funny memories of our times together in small group. A legacy has been left and we will truly miss him. Love you guys.
Pastor Gene. I can’t see or say your name without smiling and now with tears. You were brave and courageous, adventurous with a heart as big as the world you loved and taught us to love! You were passionate for the things God loves. You lived your values! You are a man of humility who learned the greater strength of becoming vulnerable. Oh how we gained from your authentic tender loving care over the years. You were refined by fire. And like GOLD you became. You made us better people by being you. You’ve always had “extra” personal touches, jokes, timely words and wise coaching through life’s greatest trials and pains. Thank you. So we cherish all our memories and all we learned from your loving shepherding… Years back you shared these “nuggets of wisdom from your heart” with us and I keep them inside my Bible and refer to them often. Just what I needed then and today. “* Listen a whole lot more, try to convince of my way a whole lot less. * Let God Be God. * It’s scary to trust. Fear is real. God doesn’t always seem to be handling it well. * We aren’t the Savior. It’s not ‘our’ journey, it’s the other persons. * None of us have turned out yet. ” Well, our most beloved Pastor, you have more than “turned out”. WELL DONE Good and Faithful One! Enjoy most delightful fishin’ holes in Heaven~!! WE LOVE YOU PASTOR GENE. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Psalm 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful servants”
Janet, Gene was a great man. I’m forever grateful we got to know him at our High School friends retreat se
Gene: We know you are in heaven with Jesus Christ. You were a wonderful pastor that married us 33 years ago. You were always a Christian inspiration to Carolyn and I. Dale and Carolyn Jones
Rhonda and I will always remember Pastor Gene for his joyful loving spirit, expository preaching, and solid pastoral shepherding of his congregation. He demonstrated the love of God unconditionally, and we experienced that personally during both the good and the tough times in life. We offer our ongoing prayers to Janet and the entire family, that each will be able to be comforted in knowing that the Lord greeted him last Saturday with the words, “Well done my good and faithful servant!” Dave and Rhonda
Janet and family, lifting you up to the father,asking him to give you comfort and peace at this time. Praise God you will be together again one day. Until then rest in His love for you. Ilove you. Nola
We were privileged to be a part of Gene’s beautiful memorial service. We were able to learn how he influenced family and others through his deep faith. Our most sincere condolences. Jean and Al Nethery
Janet and family we are so sorry for your loss. But we know Gene is in heaven partying. Is having very important working beside Jesus, Gene taught Brad and I so much years we were at Westlink Church. We thank you for his service and love for the Church. He will be missed. Brad and Pam Mccalla
Our love and prayers are with you.
So many wonderful memories of this great teacher of God’s word! His expository preaching helped so many learn how the Bible tied together and applied to daily living. He had such a wonderful personality. We always felt his love for God in all he did! He will be greatly missed, yet always remembered! May God comfort his family and help them through this time of loss. Gene is now with the Father and all is well for him!
All our thoughts and prayers at this time Janet and family!!! God Bless!!! May God’s peace fill your hearts today AND every day going forward.
What an extraordinary pastor. I truly enjoyed attending Dr. Pastor Carlsons church on Tyler Road. He ministered our family many times through the loss of our loved ones. What is the best is he married my husband and I 22 years ago! He was so great for his leadership and his love for God. He led a wonderful life and touch many along the way. Thank you. Prayers to his family and friends!
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.