Sonny Louis Carson, beloved husband, father, and “Poppa” went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, June 20, 2025, in Tyler, Texas, at the age of 78.

Born on December 28, 1946, in Galveston, Texas, to Fred Carson and Frances Finn Henderson. Sonny's childhood was marked by hardship, at times literally growing up on the streets. While these formative years were difficult, they helped shape him as tough and resilient, but also with an unrelenting drive to succeed. As a young adult, he bravely served his country in the United States Army, first with the esteemed 101st Airborne Division and as a distinguished member of the Green Berets during the Vietnam War, later earning an honorable discharge.

Sonny's professional life was as varied and adventurous as his spirit. Sonny pursued a brief but promising musical career as a country music artist in the late 1980s, releasing such hip-shaking tunes as “Messin’ Around” and “Broken Hearted Blues.” Closer to home, he earned a reputation in local architecture and construction, having designed, overseen, and built many unique and beautiful homes across East Texas. Sonny worked for a time as a private investigator, tracking and exposing uncomfortable truths wherever he went.  Ever the innovator, Sonny was an accomplished inventor - leveraging his natural engineering talent to create, market, and sell several unique products. Later, he heeded a profound call to faith, becoming a devoted pastor and dedicating himself to extensive missionary work with the Navajo Nation in New Mexico.

Sonny had a myriad of passions. He possessed a particular love and talent for boxing and kickboxing in his younger days, and was known to train and throw down with none other than TV’s Chuck Norris. He was an ardent outdoorsman whether hunting bear in the boreal forests of Canada or deep-sea fishing off the Texas Gulf Coast. Sonny proudly obtained his pilot's license and loved to fly—delighting most in inviting unsuspecting friends and family for what seemed like a cozy countryside flight, only to terrify them with a series of death-defying maneuvers that left them screaming, often sick, but with memories that would last a lifetime.

Sonny's journey was one of profound transformation. While his early years were filled with hardships, he found profound peace and purpose through his commitment to Christianity. He often spoke of how his faith shaped and defined his later years, guiding him to become the kind, helpful, and genuinely loving man many came to know. Sonny deeply valued the respect and good opinion of others; it was important to him to be well-thought-of and to make a positive impression to everyone he met. Sonny possessed a quirky sense of humor—spontaneous and off-the-wall for the sake of a good laugh. His resilience, growth, and enduring desire to connect with others leave a lasting legacy.

Sonny is survived by his devoted and beloved wife of the past 28 years, Brenda Carson of Flint, Texas. He leaves behind his daughter, Charlene Carson-Leavings of Tyler, Texas, and stepchildren: Aaron Allen of Flint, Texas; Drew and Charlotte Allen of Tyler, Texas; Andrea and Bryan Silverthorne of Longview, Texas; and Amy and Jeremy Butler of Humble, Texas. His legacy continues through his 2 grandchildren, 11 step-grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, Fred Carson; his mother, Frances Finn Henderson; his sisters Frankie Fahnestock and Penny Miesner; and his great-granddaughter Kyliegh Head and great-grandson Aiden Rice.

A Celebration of Life service for Sonny will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at The Lord's House located at 3114 Van Hwy, Tyler, TX 75703. A visitation and viewing will begin at 3:00 PM followed by the ceremony at 4:00 PM, officiated by Rev. Samuel Priddy and Rev. Jerry Phelps. There will be no graveside service as interment will occur at Dallas/Fort Worth National Cemetery at a later date.

Serving as pallbearers will be Braxton Leavings, Jack Butler, Charlie Butler, Pete Silverthorne, Ray Allen, and Bryce McCormick.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Tia Linda Ministries at P.O. Box 1486, Santa Clarita, CA 91386, or through their online giving portal at https://tia-linda-ministries-422997.churchcenter.com/giving.