Russ Carlson

Russ was born February 1, 1953 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Leonard and Melba Carlson. He joined his older sister, Joan and his older brother, Ron, as the baby of the family. He was born with a head full of red hair and soon was affectionately known by all as Red.

Red grew up in Milcreek, Utah and enjoyed exploring the wilderness and nature of Milcreek Canyon. It remained one of his favorite places. Red also excelled at all sports growing up, including baseball, football, and golf. When he was 12, his baseball team won the Western Boys Baseball World Series. He was featured in the newspaper with the caption, “Russ Carlson enjoys a malt.” This is still a favorite quote in the Carlson family. He went on to play football at and graduate from Skyline High School.

Red married Patti Plant in 1979 and built a home and family together in Taylorsville, Utah. They had three children, Jessica, Cole, and Ali. Red loved playing backyard games with his family like croquet, bocce ball, and every fall- green tomato baseball. Red would always grumble about getting a new pet, but then would end up loving them more than anyone else. His dog, Augie, was his near constant companion.

Red spent most of his career as superintendent in the construction industry. He loved to show off places he had built or spaces he had worked on. One of his many work stories included being downtown in the Triad Center as the 1999 Salt Lake City Tornado whirled right in front of him.

Red loved golf and the Utes. He played golf as much and as often as he could. Red could be found on the green every Wednesday and Thursday night in the spring, summer, and fall where he played in leagues at Fore Lakes Golf Course. He shared a lot of special moments on the golf course with his son, Cole. Red was a lifelong Utah fan and could be counted on to say, “start playing Utah Man” every time the Utes scored a touchdown. He was excited to travel to the Rose Bowl to see them play with his sons in law in 2022.

Red loved a good story, and loved a (dirty) joke even more. His big booming voice and laugh could be heard at any party or gathering. Red loved pumpkin carving at Halloween, and carved the same face into his pumpkin for the last 50 years. He looked forward to traditions and holidays with the family, including always making a Super Bowl pool for the big game.

Red had a lot of health struggles over the last 8 years, including throat cancer and merkel cell carcinoma. Most recently, he battled lymphedema, a terrible side effect of his cancer treatments. He died peacefully in his sleep at his home on September 26, 2026.

Red is survived by his wife, Patti; his children Jessica (Dalan), Cole (Alexis), and Ali (McKay); his grandchildren Quinn, Olive, Ruby, Mila, and Henry; as well as his brother, sister in laws, brother in laws, and nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by both of his parents and his sister.

His family will have a small celebration of Red’s life up Milcreek Canyon at a later date.