David Carlson

Rev. David L. Carlson, 89, of New Port Richey, Florida formerly of Bradenton, Florida, passed away on February 5, 2017 at the Morton Plant North Bay Hospital in New Port Richey, Florida.

Rev. Carlson was born on January 17, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Leo Olaf and Hazel (Kiesling) Carlson. He grew up in the Chicago area and attended the Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois where he majored in Radio and Television, and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Speech.

After graduation he worked as a radio station manager in New York City and also was a college instructor in Speech and Broadcasting. Then in 1962 he joined Trans World Radio (TWR), where he served as assistant to the President. This was followed by many years of service as an overseas missionary. During his Mission service he served and in many countries and traveled in over 50 different countries.

While serving in South Africa he served as Deputation Secretary and was responsible for the introduction of TWR to southern Africa and served as minister in the churches of this region. Then when he served in Monte Carlo he was known as “the Golden Voice of Monte Carlo”, where he introduced the programs of TWR including their first program for Women, “Woman to Woman” with Mrs. Norah Freed.

During his career with TWR he served as a writer, producer, announcer and director for public relations for TWR Europe. And had the passion to always pursue his excellence in the broadcasting of the Gospel internationally.

Rev. Carlson returned to the United States in 1986 where he and his wife continued their ministry by sharing his experiences of his ministry over the years with churches here in the United States. He moved to Bradenton in May of 2000 coming here from Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Locally he formerly attended Calvary Baptist Church and First Presbyterian Church both in Bradenton, until he moved to New Port Richey in 2015 due to health reasons. While living in New Port Richey he attended the Living Word Church in New Port Richey, Florida.

Rev. Carlson was predeceased by his beloved wife Florence M. Carlson in August of 2015, and his siblings. He is survived by his missionary daughter Karen L. Avella and her husband James of New Port Richey, Florida, but are currently serving in Guam as missionaries for TWR just like her father. He is also survived by numerous extended family members and his many brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the world.

A graveside celebration of his life will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, February 15, 21017 at the Skyway Memorial Gardens, 5200 U.S. Highway 19 North, Palmetto, Florida where he will be laid to rest next to his wife.

The family request that in lieu of flowers that memorials be made to the Trans World Radio, P.O. Box 8700, Cary, North Carolina 27512 in his memory for the continuous spreading of the Gospel worldwide.