POWERGRAMS

Carson equally admired by company, community On the day David Carson died, he waited at dawn for the garbage man to arrive so he could thank him for his hard work. Carson prayed for his co-workers' safety at a meeting the day before the helicopter crash that tragically took his life and the life of 51-year-old pilot Matthew Wallace on Aug. 19. Transmission Project Manager Edna Weaver said Carson was many things to many people – all of them good. She said his picture belongs in the dictionary to illustrate "gentleman." "To employees at Alabama Power Co., David was more than just a co-worker," Weaver said. "I talked to so many different people … He was like a big brother, best friend, golfing buddy, camping pal, confidant, encourager, teacher, mentor and a partner in Christ. We remember all of these things. To me, he was one of the most reliable, talented and gifted people I have ever known." Carson rose through the ranks during his four decades with Alabama Power, leaving only for a stint in the U.S. Army. He started as a utilityman on June 15, 1970. He became an apprentice lineman in Power Delivery two years later and was a lineman from 1974 until 1985, when he was promoted to lead lineman. Carson became crew foreman in 1986 and held that position through 1995. He was a senior transmission specialist from 1996 until 2006. Carson became a line specialist in 2009 and was promoted again in 2011. The Western Division senior line specialist loved his job, patrolling over high power lines and, though he had spent 44 of his 63 years on Earth working for Alabama Power, a friend said Carson had no intention of retiring any time soon. Carson was the first one ready to get to work whenever power lines went down, as well as the go-to person on the ground to calm customers upset by their lights being out, co-workers said. "He was a great example for all of us," Weaver said. Mark Sullivan, an elder of Tuscaloosa's University Church of Christ and CEO of the Bank of Tuscaloosa, said Carson, like King David, was "a man after God's own heart." Fellow church members remember their David for not only being a student of the Bible, but for creating all the backdrops for church plays and productions. A church friend said it will take at least "two good, dependable men" to replace Carson. A woman wept as she told how Carson saved her child's life using the Heimlich maneuver when the youngster choked as others in the congregation looked on. His oldest sister, Pecola Ruth Collins, said Carson as a child aspired to be both Mighty Mouse and Davy Crockett. Indeed, fellow employees recall him as a hero on many levels. But words are not needed for the one thing almost everyone remembers about Carson – his "million-watt smile." Regardless of circumstances, day or night, hot or cold weather, to a complete stranger or old friend, Carson's greeting was always the same. "You never knew if David had a bad day," said TMC Supervisor Glenn Easterwood. "That smile would just change your heart." "He was always smiling and to encourage people was just a natural part of him," said Preaching Minister David Bearden. "It could not only light up a room, it could light up a community," Weaver said. During memorial services Aug. 26, Northport Mayor Bobby Herndon issued a proclamation declaring David Carson Day "in sincere gratitude for his life of service to this community." Herndon said Carson's death "leaves us all with a deep sense of loss." Church Elder Doug Key said Carson made his priorities clear to everyone: God came first, followed by his family and then by Alabama Power. Key marveled at Carson's "special spirit." Carson was purposely slow to speak, Key observed, always taking time to measure his words before saying them. "If you speak before you think, you can't take those words back, and sometimes those words can hurt," Key quoted Carson. Key reminded Carson's family, friends and co-workers who packed the church memorial service that while they grieve over the loss of a man they loved and admired, Carson himself was well-prepared, not long ago telling his wife, Ivey, "If I die first, don't fret, don't worry, because I'm going to be with Jesus." By Chuck Chandler IN MEMORY OF DAVID RAND CARSON 1950-2014 3 David and Ivey Carson

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