Wallace P. Carson, Jr., c1940 June 1 & June 8, 2017 Episodes.
Judging by the photograph shown here, you certainly get the impression that this young man, aged about 7 years, has a pretty high regard for the law--at least the enforcment side of things. This is a true enough statement for both of our guests today, Wally & Gloria Carson. As it so happens, Wally is probably genetically wired for the law, given the many years of family involvement in the field. Wallace P. Carson, Jr., has served the people of Oregon as a National Guard pilot, state Representative, a state Senator, a Circuit Court judge, a Supreme Court judge, and as the longest serving Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court. Walking right alongside him on this journey and providing her utmost support is the love of his life, Gloria Stolk Carson.
Judging by the photograph shown here, you certainly get the impression that this young man, aged about 7 years, has a pretty high regard for the law--at least the enforcment side of things. This is a true enough statement for both of our guests today, Wally & Gloria Carson. As it so happens, Wally is probably genetically wired for the law, given the many years of family involvement in the field. Wallace P. Carson, Jr., has served the people of Oregon as a National Guard pilot, state Representative, a state Senator, a Circuit Court judge, a Supreme Court judge, and as the longest serving Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court. Walking right alongside him on this journey and providing her utmost support is the love of his life, Gloria Stolk Carson.
Gloria & Wally, June 24, 1956 As we mentioned, the legal field plays large throughout Wally's family history. His grandfather, John A. Carson, who immigrated to Salem from Canada in 1889, was a lawyer and state senator. Wally's father, Wallace P. Carson, his uncles John H. and Allan G., as well as his aunts Catherine and Esther--all studied law, with most becoming attorneys. Gloria's family, on the other hand, immigrated from Germany to the Clearlake area in north Salem. She lived in West Salem during grade school, then on a farm in the Pratum area east of town, moving next to Klamath Falls, and returning to Salem to live in the house on Ruge Street NW built by her carpenter father. Her parents were original "house-flippers," living in the houses while renovating them, and then selling them and moving on to the next home renovation project. She attended eleven different schools until returning to high school here in Salem. She met Wally while playing tennis over by Olinger Pool in northeast Salem. They dated for four years while Wally attended college, and married in June 1956.
Wally Carson (third from left) with South Korean President Syngman Rhee and Mrs. Rhee, c1958 While in college at Stanford University, Wally joined the ROTC program and attended flight school to become a jet pilot. He was stationed in South Korea in the late 1950s where, among other duties, he was the official pilot for the South Korean president, Syngman Rhee. President Rhee preferred to fly with Wally's US crew rather than the Korean Air Force. Wally's military career spanned 34 years, both in the air and on the ground as an intelligence officer, obtaining the rank of Brigadier General with the JAG Corps, and including service with the Air Force Reserves and the Oregon National Guard.
Wally shared his memories of growing up in Salem in a house on Leslie Street, just south of downtown. He tells of meeting another of our "Yesterday's Voices" alumni, David Rhoten, in kindergarten where he performed in the rhythm band directed by David. Thus began their long friendship, and his theatrical career as part of David's "Three Puppeteers" troup, entertaining children in schools and the public library, as well as the older generation in local nursing homes. He admits he garnered most of his business acumen while producing those gigs--charge a reasonable amount, get the monies up front, and bring your own equipment--don't rely on the house to have the right stuff. Wally and Gloria later often double-dated with David & his sweetheart Coralie. As we've discovered with many of our guests for this series, Wally thoroughly enjoyed the weekly Mickey Mouse Club events held at the Elsinore Theater. He still has his official membership card!
Gloria and Wally both have fond memories of "picking" in the fields, gathering crops during their youth. The camaraderie formed during the early morning bus rides and the time in the fields was accompanied by a sense of responsibility to the community, especially during the war years, as well as independence as they earned their own funds. While Gloria advanced to working in the cannery, where her mother was a floor lady, Wally secured employment with the Otto J. Wilson Buick Agency, the first Buick dealership in Oregon. He admits he was a more careful driver when he was behind the wheel of the company truck emblazoned with all the company identification.
Picnics were a major form of entertainment for both families--with Sunday drives in the family car also being a highlight for Wally. Some of their memories include the rationing and shortages, speed limits to preserve fuel, air raid drills, blackouts, and the underlying sense of worry during the days of WWII. Wally's mother was a Red Cross ambulance driver and his father a Civil Defense warden. Other strong memories include the Tillamook Burn of 1933, the flames and smoke of which could be seen in Salem; watching the roof of the Marion Hotel blow off during the Columbus Day storm in 1962 but being unaware that the roof of the building where he sat, the Pioneer Trust Building, was also rolling off onto the street; and the Christmas Day flood of 1964 .
Picnics were a major form of entertainment for both families--with Sunday drives in the family car also being a highlight for Wally. Some of their memories include the rationing and shortages, speed limits to preserve fuel, air raid drills, blackouts, and the underlying sense of worry during the days of WWII. Wally's mother was a Red Cross ambulance driver and his father a Civil Defense warden. Other strong memories include the Tillamook Burn of 1933, the flames and smoke of which could be seen in Salem; watching the roof of the Marion Hotel blow off during the Columbus Day storm in 1962 but being unaware that the roof of the building where he sat, the Pioneer Trust Building, was also rolling off onto the street; and the Christmas Day flood of 1964 .
Most of us today know of Wally for his long career with the Oregon Supreme Court. He was appointed by Governor Vic Atiyeh in 1982, and was elected to the position of Chief Justice by his peers in 1991, retiring in 2005 as the longest-serving Chief Justice. Prior to this service, he was a practicing attorney in the family's law firm, and then followed the examples of his forbearers into civic duty (both his father and uncle had served as district attorneys). He served as a State Representative from 1966-1971, and then as a State Senator from 1971-1977, at which time he was sworn in as a Marion County Circuit Court judge.
 Gloria with Carol "Carrie", Scott, and Steven, c1968 |  Gloria Carson, right, Assistance League Luncheon, April 1972 Throughout Wally's career, Gloria was his strongest supporter. Besides being Mom to their three kids, Gloria worked on his campaigns, often staffing his legislative office, and carried out her own long list of civic duties. Giving back to your community was a family tradition that weaves through the Carsons' long history in Salem. We've found this to be true for many others of this generation whom we have interviewed. They don't see this as anything unusual, but just an integral part of the fabric of their lives. |
Wally & Gloria are perhaps two of the most gracious, down-to-earth folks you'll probably ever have the opportunity to meet. They still live in the first house they purchased together in Salem. Their love and commitment for each other, Oregon, and particularly Salem was evident throughout our conversation. We are all better for their part in Salem's history, as well as our future.
 Wally Carson, Salem First Citizen, February 2011 |  Wally & Gloria Carson, June 2017 |
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