Carl W. Ison
Carl W. Ison, 100, of Lenexa, Kansas, passed away June 30, 2010.
He was born the first of ten on October 5, 1909, in Pleasanton, Kansas, where he grew up on a farm outside town. He married Vivian Castle and they attended Kansas State College in Pittsburg where he majored in mathematics. He taught mathematics and worked as a coach in Pittsburg before moving to Overland Park to join the staff of Shawnee Mission North. He later received a master’s degree from the University of Missouri at Kansas City .
During World War II, he joined the navy and spent most of the next three years learning and teaching others about antisubmarine warfare in Boston . At the end of the war, he returned to Overland Park where he later became an assistant principal then the first principal of the new Shawnee Mission East in 1958.
After eighteen years in administration, he retired in 1974 and moved to Sun City, Arizona . There he became an avid golfer and talented ballroom dancer. After Vivian’s death, Marjorie Barnett and he married. When Marjorie had a stroke, they moved to Lakeview Village in Lenexa , Kansas, to be near her children.
Carl died on June 30, 2010, eight months after celebrating his 100th birthday with a dancing party.
The survivors include his daughter, Karlan Ison Sick; two grandchildren, Jeffrey Sick (Geoffrey Castle) and Gyneth Walker; three great grandchildren, Gareth Sick and Gordon and Saskia Walker; and four sisters, Dorothy Haffely, Betty Reynolds, Mary Baker, and Barbara Morris.
Memorial donations in Carl’s memory may be made to the Carl W. Ison Award at Shawnee Mission East High School, 7500 Mission Road, Prairie Village, Kansas 66208.
Memorial Service
A memorial service will be held 10:30 am, Saturday, July 3, 2010, at Heritage Center in Lakeview Village, 9100 Park Street, Lenexa, Kansas.
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We are deeply saddened by the passing of someone who was so dearly loved by everyone in his extended family. Carl’s charm and grace were only surpassed by his love and enthusiasm for life.
Carl was an integral part of the fabric of everyone’s life with whom he came in contact. While his passing leaves a hole in our hearts, this hole will be filled with memories of a man we all loved and admired.
If, in our life times, we could become half the person he was, we would all consider our lives to have been blessed.
While we’ve lost the family patriarch, we retain the wonderful gifts he has given each of us.
Love from Wendy, Bob, Matthew & Michael Hitchcock
Carl was a “Class Person” who knew how to treat people “Right” and brought out the best in people. Having known Carl and having associations with him benefited so many of us in so many ways. THANK YOU!
He was a leader! My condolences, Jim
To the Ison family,
I am saddened by Mr. Ison’s passing and for your loss.
But what a wonderful life he had and that he shared it with so many. I was among those who benefited by his generous sharing as principal of SM East. I taught at East Mr. Ison’s last three years, and during the school’s 50th celebration, I was amazed that he remembered me and that I had been the school’s newspaper advisor.
How lucky we were to have him in our lives, which are richer for that association.
Bob Dillon
Carl was a person who genuinely cared about people. Perhaps that is the main reason so may cared about him. He had a way of showing interest in you and things in which you are interested. Here is an example. A few days before his passing I spoke to him on the phone. He was weak and I wanted to know about him. In true fashion he turned the conversation around by asking me what I thought of the outcome of the US Open Golf Tournament.
This demonstrated his interest in others, including, I might add, his inlaws. It also indicated his mind was sharp and true even to the end. He was dearly loved and will be missed. Until I see you again, Larry
As my father was principal/superintendant all of my teachers were considered to be the best. As I learned in class, Carl Ison was. Many learned much from him. My condolences to the family.
Mr. Ison was our beloved principal at Shawnee-Mission East. Ours was the second graduating class (Class of 1960). He was such a wonderful man and such a kind and understanding administrator. We all respected him so very much. I will never forget his morning announcements, so clear. He attended our class’s 25th reunion and put up with all the pundits so patiently. We were so lucky to have Carl Ison at SM East. Our sincerest condolences to his family.
Dear Carlin and family:
It was a great pleasure being Carl’s occupational therapist these past years. What a wonderful man to work with. He taught all of us therapists dance steps. I feel like I know his whole family from the many stories and pictures. He truly loved talking about his family, especially the great grandkids. It was great getting to know you Carlin & Gary and meeting the 3 sisters just a couple of weeks ago. I will always remember Carl’s strength and perseverance to do therapy even when he was having a bad day. What a trooper! What can you say about a man that was still golfing at age 95 and dancing at age 100. What an inspiration he has been to me and others. I will never forget you, Carl Ison!
My deepest sympathy to the whole family — Teresa Dunagan
In behalf of the Shawnee-Mission East High School Class of 1960, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. Ison. We are proud that, on the occasion of our 50th Anniversary Reunion this week, we have dedicated our event—and the special Reunion Yearbook published on the occasion— to our revered principal. We fondly remember Mr. Ison as a kind, firm, fair and gentle man. His contributions to the Shawnee Mission school system, and to the lives of all of his students, will never be forgotten. Bless you, Mr. Ison, and Godspeed.
Karlan –
Marilyn Hogendobler Shaw called to let me know of your father’s passing. We both thought he was a wonderful teacher and a wonderful man. Please accept our most sincere sympathy.
Peggy Guthrie Wink
Marilyn Hogendobler Shaw
I was a student of SME/66..a long time ago..I recently discovered a site where you can view your yearbook from your year..it’s fascinating..you can actually view each page..my message to you good folks is that I had just done that when I received a message from a friend..that Mr. Ison had just passed..at 100..amazing..So..to you I say that I’m honored and heartfelt to tell you folks how much Mr. Ison meant to me during my High School years…if it wasn’t for his direct and swift judgements…I’m pretty sure a lot of us kids would have failed..He meant a lot to me..So..Thank You..Please know that there are lots of people who remember and care for your family member…Mr. Ison was a real treasure..I’ll remember him always
My brother, Tim, has just sent me word of Carl’s passing. Our family knew the Ison family in Brookline, MA, during the war and later “Mr. Ison” was my principal at SME. I believe his presence in the school system was part of my parents’ choice of where to live. My brother, sister Marcia and I send our condolences to all Carl’s family.
As my sister related we knew Carl LONG before he came to SME. Carl, wife Vivian, and daughter Karlen, lived in a house behind ours in the Boston suburb of Brookline.
I graduated SMN in ’58 and, of course, Carl was our vice-principal, working under Merlin G. Welch.
Several years ago, I attended the SMN Class of 56 Reunion with my older sister and Carl was there as was his daughter “Kiki”. He remembered my mom and dad, my two sisters, and me. We had a long good chat about how life had treated us and about the old post WW II days in Brookline.
Carl was indeed a “Class” guy with a mountain of integrity. I am truly honored to have know him and to have had him touch my life.
Tim Moran – SMN ’58