On April 2nd, 2009, Gary and Jane Carson marked their 50th wedding anniversary.¬  On Saturday, April 11th, the Carsons will welcome family and friends for a 50th Golden Anniversary Celebration from 2 to 6 p.m. at their cabin in Highland at 4788 West 11000 North.

When Jane met Gary, he was on crutches and his football career had just ended.¬  It was love at first sight for both of them.¬  They were quite the couple: the tough football player with the genteel southern belle on his arm (whose drawl he could barely understand).¬  They were sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple six months later and became the parents of eight children: Mike (Lorraine), Craig (deceased, Lori), Christy, Jim (Jamie), Kenny (Johanna), Kevin (Chris), Sherry Johnson (Paul), and Terry (Michelle); the grandparents of 33 and the great-grandparents of 14 (with two more on the way)–all of whom have combined their talents to host their parents’ golden wedding anniversary celebration.

Gary spent his childhood at the Pony Express Station in Fairfield.¬  When he was a teen, his family moved to Pleasant Grove, where Gary played several sports, but gained notice as a football player, and was recruited by Snow College.¬  Gary was the first All-American to come out of Snow, who honored him this past season.¬  After Snow, Gary served a mission for the LDS Church to the Western United States.¬  When he returned, he suited up for the BYU Cougars.¬  During practice just prior to his first game, he broke his leg, quit school, married Jane, and moved to Alabama where his father-in-law taught him the masonry trade.¬ 

When he returned to Utah Valley, Gary went to work for Geneva Steel and began building homes.¬  Gary also supervised the masonry work on the IPP Power Plant in Delta, the Moon River Power Plant in Vernal, a power plant in Craig, Colorado, and at the U.S. Army base at Fort Drum in Watertown, New York–where the Carsons lived for almost four years.

Jane grew up in Millbrook (near Montgomery), Alabama and moved to Utah Valley when she was 20 years old.¬  She worked as a secretary for Valley Bank prior to marrying Gary.¬  After they married, Jane became a fulltime mother and homemaker, who helped Gary with his business, and also worked as a realtor.¬  Gary and Jane are active members of the LDS Church, where they serve as the Activity Committee chairs in their Highland 9th Ward.

The Carsons have lived in Highland for more than 15 years now.¬  The Carson cabin on the corner of 4800 West and 11000 North (just west of the Carson home) has become a popular gathering place for people from all over the valley.

Gary and Jane share an interest in big game hunting.¬  They have bagged trophies from all over the western United States, Canada, and Alaska, which are on display in their cabin.¬  They also enjoy fishing together.¬  They traveled to Alaska twice last summer where they fished for halibut and salmon.¬  And they like to go camping and four-wheeling with their family.¬ 

But what Carsons enjoy most is partying with family and friends on their two wooded acres in Highland–and invite everyone to join them on Saturday, April 11th from 2 to 6 p.m. to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary.