Tary Lane Carlson
May 7, 1971–March 2, 2018
Tary Lane Carlson died of pancreatic cancer at the unbearably young age of 46, March 2, 2018 at the Hopewell House in Portland. A steady stream of family and friends visited Tary in his last days at this hospice facility. The family is very appreciative of the hospice staff and chaplains for their kindness, expert care, loving advice and warm embrace as Tary ended his life surrounded by people who didn’t want to let him go.
Tary’s life was not flawless or perfect, like many of us it was complicated. He would say the most wonderful thing he ever did was give the world his daughter, Audrey. All those who know and love them agree.
He was born May 7, 1971 and grew up for the most part in Gresham attending West Gresham Grade School, Mt. Hood Christian and graduating from Centennial High School. Those years were filled with an eclectic range of activities: soccer, basketball, hiking, kayaking, camping, photography, becoming an Eagle Scout and playing trombone in Centennial’s Awesome Eagle Show Band. He was chosen outstanding band member his senior year.
At thirteen he became a licensed HAM radio operator, an activity he shared with his dad. As a father/son duo they were active in all sorts of HAM activities with the Hoodview Amateur Radio Club. Both were involved with HAM communications for Portland’s Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade. For over 20 years, Tary drove the Parade Pace Car.
And he traveled…a lot. With his mother and stepdad he kayaked in British Columbia’s Inside Passage and visited Death Valley and Yosemite National Parks, the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion in Iowa and Vancouver Island, B.C. His dad got him hiking in Glacier National Park, the Columbia Gorge and touring Washington, D.C. On his own as a student ambassador for the People to People Program, he traveled to France, the Netherlands, East and West Germany and Russia. He attended the Boy Scout World Jamboree in Sidney, Australia in 1987.
It was at Oregon State University, that Tary discovered the work that would be his life’s passion, construction. He graduated with a degree in Construction Engineering Management in 1995. As a student he began a long association with the Associated General Contractors eventually serving on the national board of AGC. He chaired the Young Constructors Forum (now the Construction Leadership Council) for many years, and served on the chapter board of directors.
His career was launched at Emerick Construction Company as a college intern and later as a project manager. He always spoke with appreciation for the mentoring and early learning he got with Emerick. He then joined Inici Group which brought him into the specialized world of healthcare construction. Tary’s imprint is all over the new Randall Children’s Hospital, the expansion of Adventist Medical Center, and OHSU’s Peter Kohler Pavilion & Biomedical Research Building. He worked on other well-known landmarks in Portland like the beautiful spires of the Oregon Convention Center and the OHSU Tram. In 2015 building on his expertise in health care, he joined the Legacy Health Design & Construction Team as senior construction manager.
Among many accomplishments and honors, Tary earned the LEED Accredited Professional credential. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement.
Tary met Shannon Fauteck at Centennial. They dated at OSU and married Sept. 20, 1997. They enjoyed years of fun travel to Hawaii, Arizona and Glacier Park among others. They built a home in Portland before Audrey was born in 2004. As a family they valued many traditions in this home over the years.
Tary is survived by Shannon; and thirteen year old Audrey; his mother Paulette Filz (Larry); his father, Barry Carlson (Sharon Thorne); Aunt and Uncle, Terry and John Clelen; and their sons, Mason and Dustin (Barbara Anderson); stepgrandmother, Mary Helen Filz; and stepsisters, Julie Marshall (Shawn) and Erika Ensign (Douglas Wilson). With the exception of Dustin who lives in Colorado, they all live in Portland.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m., Sunday, March 18, 2018, at Emanuel Hospital Atrium, 501 North Graham, Portland. The family encourages contributions in Tary’s memory to Hopewell House, Portland or to any charity or worthy organization you believe in and think would please Tary.
Please sign the online guest book at www.oregonlive.com/obits