Earl Dean Carson, 86, Professional Engineer and Consultant, born in Chariton, Iowa, and resident of Murphy, North Carolina, passed away Thursday, October 13, 2016 at 11:35 a.m. in Murphy Medical Center surrounded by his loving family members.

A graduate of Louisiana State University in 1955, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering. He served in the United States Army in Germany from 1955-1957. In his career, he was a Vice President and manager for production and operations of petroleum oil field development for 10 different oil companies in 12 countries between 1957 and 1992. In 1990, Dean was cited by the United Nations (UNHCR) as “Humanitarian Par Excellence” for supervisor of the rescue of over 5,500 Vietnamese “boat people” in the Kakap Offshore Oilfield, Indonesia.

He was the son of the late Earl Roscoe and Nora Viola Sheldon Carson from Chariton, Iowa. He was also preceded in death by three sisters, Dorcas Snook, Annalea Rodger, and Arlene Bourell.

He is survived by his wife, Renate Brigitte Carson; his son, Peter Sheldon Carson; his daughter, Mari (Mimi) Lynn Noah; his son-in-law, Scott Allen Noah; and his grandchildren, Grayson Matthew Noah (20) and Kate Alexandra Noah (18). He also is survived by his sisters, Fern Henderson and Melba Greene; and his brother, Wayne Carson.

The inurnment will be in the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain, North Carolina.

The family requests memorials be made in memory of Earl Dean Carson to the Sharing Center Food Bank in Murphy, N.C., the American Cancer Society, or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy in charge of all arrangements.