Morton S. Carson

Morty left this earth on Nov. 22, Thanksgiving Day, his favorite holiday. He was 91 years old.
Born June 26, 1932 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Morty moved to New Orleans with his family and had his bar mitzvah there in 1945. He completed his high school education in Houston, graduating from San Jacinto High School in 1950 and from The University of Texas at Austin with his BBA in 1954. While at UT, he met Joan Adele Rachosky and married her in 1952.
A proud veteran, he served in the U.S. Air Force after college, making Second Lieutenant, and was stationed in Pleasanton, California, when he and Joan welcomed their daughter Milinda in 1955. They lived in Knoxville, Tennessee for a time after he completed his service. Their son Charles joined the family in 1958 while they were living in Macon, Georgia. Morty then moved his young family back to Houston.
A businessman and entrepreneur, Morty purchased Hilo Company during the 1970's and ran it successfully for many years. He married Hazel Harrell Lewis in the fall of 1980, and they lived in Kingwood, Texas before building their dream house in Edinburg, Texas and moving there in 1998. He continued his investments in various properties to supplement their retirement income.
Morty loved to plan trips and took Hazel to many beautiful locations in the U.S. and Canada. He also loved to tell stories about his life experiences and had a winning smile. He and Hazel took great joy in their bichon frise dogs. In their later years, Lucilla Jimenez was their dedicated caretaker and friend and was with him at the end.
Morty is survived by his children Dr. Milinda (Dr. Noel) Carson Meltzer of Newton, Massachusetts and Charles (Melissa) Carson of Houston, stepdaughter Dianne (John) Hopkins of Houston and stepson Byron Jay (Keely) Lewis of Edinburg, Texas. He is also survived by his brother Richard (Sherry) Carson of Rockville, Maryland. Everyone had the chance to visit with him during his final days.
His 11 grandchildren include Reuben (Thy) Meltzer, Bernard (Elise Deloy) Meltzer, Elan (Maya) Meltzer, Uri Meltzer, Lisa (Dwight) Astin, Megan Carson, Jason (Aline) Hopkins, John Michael (Marti) Hopkins, Andrew (Jaycie) Hopkins, Elizabeth Lewis, Mark (Jordan) Lewis.
His 11 great-grandchildren include Beatrice Meltzer, Ezra Meltzer. Aria Meltzer, Aubrie Astin, Cole Hopkins, Keely Hopkins, Caleb Hopkins, Audrey Hopkins, Helena Hopkins, Penelope Hopkins and Robby Lewis. He had one great-great grandchild, Violet Robertson.
Morty is preceded in death by his parents Albert and Yetta Carson and his brother Seymour (Marilyn) Carson.
The family is appreciative of Alma and all of his caretakers at Avalon Memory Care and Amara Hospice during these last years and to Lucilla for continuing to visit him regularly.
Visitation and eulogies will be Friday, Dec. 1, from 12 noon to 1 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Home, 208 E. Canton in Edinburg, TX. His interment will follow at 2 p.m. at Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery, 2520 Inspiration Rd. in Mission, TX, with full military honors conducted by VFW Post 8788 of McAllen.