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Ian Alexander Carlson, age 42, of Grand Rapids, passed away peacefully Tuesday night, September 29, 2020, at Spectrum Butterworth surrounded by the four most important women in his life, wife Taylor; mother, Pat; and sisters, Sara and Brandi. Ian fought courageously for five months after a sudden pulmonary illness.
Ian was born at Blodgett Hospital on December 16, 1977. He grew up in Cedar Springs under the love and care of his parents, Pat and Ray, and siblings Sara, Brandi and Ryan. His family nurtured his passion for play with summers filled with water fights, paintball, horse-back riding, and card games. He was fearless, always willing to try something new.
Ian honed in on his healthy love of competition by wrestling all four years of high school. In 1995, his wrestling team won the State Championship. When he wasn’t wrestling or studying, Ian’s passion for play was expressed through shenanigans with his friends. Ian graduated from Cedar Springs High School in 1996 and later graduated from ITT Tech in 2006.
He started working at Belwith Keeler Décor Solutions in Grandville, Michigan in 2011, in their customer service department and worked his way up to Network Administrator. At Belwith, Ian met the love of his life, Taylor, in 2013 and they married on November 9, 2019. Ian never took life too seriously and wanted to enjoy everything life had to offer. He loved to travel! Ian and Taylor would often travel to Chicago and Arkansas, vacationed in the West Caribbean and spent their honeymoon in Costa Rica.
Ian is survived by his wife, Taylor Olson; mother, Patricia Whitcomb; sister, Sara and Matt Misiak and their children, Joey, Abby and Sam; sister, Brandi Whitcomb and Rachael Castellante and their children, Kerin, Bradon and Quinten; brother, Ryan Whitcomb; maternal uncle and aunt, Charles and Geralyn Salisbury; maternal aunt, Nancy Witt; maternal cousins, Justin (Alyssa) and Jared Salisbury and Julie Witt; beloved dog, Min; and cats, Hickory, Jelly Bean and Athena.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ray Whitcomb; maternal uncle, Paul Witt; maternal cousin, Thomas Witt; maternal grandparents, Clarence and Catherine Witt; paternal uncle, Gary Carlson; and paternal grandparents, Norman and June Carlson.
Ian’s Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, October 16, 2020, at Johnson Park, 2600 Wilson Ave SW, Walker, Michigan 49534 from 4-7pm. Guests may come and go as they please. Ian’s family would like to ask guests to dress for inclement weather, wear masks, and please follow social distancing practices.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ian may be directed to the Grand Rapids Heart & Lung Transplant Support Help Fund via www.spectrumhealth.org/donations and click “Give a Gift” or make checks payable to Spectrum Health Foundation with the note “In memory of Ian Carlson” and send to Spectrum Health Foundation, 25 Michigan St. NE Suite 4100, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Ian’s online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com
Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006.
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I have enjoyed working with Ian these past nine years. He will always have a soft spot in my heart. I am thinking and praying for his family and friends. Belwith will never be the same.
I have had the pleasure of working with Ian and he will be deeply missed. His smile and zest was infectious. Sending comforting hugs and healing prayers.
Much Love and Peace
I have many pleasant memories of Ian…..all wrestlers have different talents that make them successful. One of Ian’s gifts was that he was very smart. I showed the team a move (that coach Baty thought wouldn’t work) called the bait & hook. Ian was in a situation where he needed to use it – he was behind going into the 3rd period. I told him to use it & he not only knew how to use it, but understood why he should use it. He pinned his opponent with it! Another memory….. Ian had mono & didn’t wrestle districts or regionals in 1995. He was able to come back for the team & wrestle in the state tournament winning all 3 of his matches. Without him, we would not have won the state title that year!
Ian we miss you and we will never forget the memories and fun times of working with you at Belwith. Your spirit and personality brought out the best in all of us! Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends, and, that they may find peace and healing with all of the great times and memories.
Ian was a true professional, thirsty for learning new things, and passionate about serving his teammates. Over the years I had the opportunity to work closely with him and to get to know him as the wonderful human being he was. A true gentleman. A kind gentle person who gained respect from everyone because he was there for everyone. We will miss him greatly.