Andrew H. (Drew) Carlson, III

Graveside services for Drew Carlson, 78, were held on Monday, June 21 at Maple Hill Cemetery, rural Gladbrook. Drew Carlson of West Covina, CA passed away on Monday, December 7, the result of a massive heart attack suffered on December 2. Drew was born in Philadelphia on June 6, 1942 to parents Andrew H., Jr. and Elsie M. (Iles) Carlson. The family moved to California in 1952. Drew graduated from Covina High School in 1959 and later received Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from California State University, Fullerton. Drew served in the U.S. Army from 1967-1969, and reached the rank of Specialist 5. He taught Choral Music in Baldwin Park, CA for five years. For the next twenty-five years, he taught Choral Music and Spanish at Garden Grove High School in Garden Grove, California retiring in 2001. Drew was the organist/director of music at Community Presbyterian Church of West Covina for 46 years. His life revolved around music, and he provided music for countless weddings, funerals, concerts, and other musical events, oftentimes arranging or composing pieces especially for the occasion. He particularly enjoyed accompanying the bagpipes during the many Scottish celebrations he produced. In December of 1967 Drew was united in marriage with Kathleen Hansen of Gladbrook, Iowa. They became the parents of two sons, Kevin and Shane. Drew was preceded in death by his grandparents and parents; he is survived by his wife of 53 years, Kathleen of West Covina, CA; his sons, Kevin and Shane, of Azusa, CA, his brother, Joel, of Winnemucca, NV and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.