Kelly Carson
June 20, 1962 – April 22, 2024
Kelly Carson (L presenting the Championship Trophy Buckle to 2011 World Champion Chuckwagon Driver Kelly Sutherland (R).
Photo By Paul & Carol Easton
The World Professional Chuckwagon Association has been saddened by the sudden passing of former WPCA Marketing Manager and WPCA Operations Manager Kelly Carson on Monday, April 22, after a brief illness at the age of 61.
Born and raised in Saskatchewan, Kelly grew up as a fan of many spectator sports like hockey, football, baseball and of course rodeo and chuckwagon racing. He was accomplished hockey player, having played three seasons in the Western Hockey League (WHL) for the Medicine Hat Tigers and the Brandon Wheat Kings between 1979 and 1982. Playing professional hockey was not in the cards for Kelly, so after his playing career ended he joined the business community and went on to work in a variety of professions in marketing, management and promotion.
Kelly joined the World Professional Chuckwagon Association after the conclusion of the 2006 race season as the WPCA Marketing Manager. He continued in that role for a little over a year until early 2008 when he transitioned into the role of Operations Manager for the WPCA. During his career with the WPCA Kelly wore many hats, working with and managing WPCA staff, contractors, judges, competitors, race committees, etc. He was also responsible for soliciting new tour sponsorships, and even did some media relations. Kelly even did color commentary for SHAW TV’s Western Canada coverage of the Edmonton Chuckwagon Derby in 2008. Kelly stayed in the role of WPCA Operations Manager through the 2012 race season, spending six great years going down the road with the WPCA.
Kelly leaves behind his beloved spouse Tracey, his mother Faye, daughter, Madison (Shawn) and granddaughters, Avery and Averly; his son, Ashton (Laurel, Ryder and Tierney) and their mother, Patti (Larry); three brothers, Tim (Estelle), Randy (Kathy) and Lindsay, several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
He is also survived by his in-laws, Larry and Helen Runquist, brother-in-law, Andy and his family and many other in-laws who Kelly loved like his own family.
Kelly was predeceased by his father Bill, his grandparents, great-nephew, William, and his beloved dogs, Maggie, Shiloh, and Buddy.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and caregiving staff of ICU Unit A at the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary, AB, for their extraordinary and compassionate care for Kelly. They would also like to thank the Board of the Cochrane & District Chamber of Commerce, and the many friends, and community members for their expressions of love and support.
A reception to celebrate Kelly’s life will be determined and shared at a later date. Kelly will be forever remembered, and his legacy will live on through the memories shared by those who knew and loved him.
Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Kelly’s family here.
In living memory of Kelly Scott Carson, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Cochrane, 369 Railway Street, Cochrane, AB T4C 2E2, Telephone: 403-932-4740.
Kelly will be missed by all in the WPCA, and we extend our sincere condolences to the Carson family.
Billy Melville
