Eric Gordon Carlson, 59, passed away unexpectedly on July 29, 2024 in his home in Maryville, Tennessee. He was born on August 7, 1964 in Charlston, South Carolina, son of Hillis Gordon Carlson and Helen Jean (Stephenson) Carlson, and grew up in Colorado with his two sisters, Andrea and Julie. Eric graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1984, and later joined the United States Marines. Eric worked as a truck driver and retired from XPO in April of 2024.

Eric was adventurous, especially in his younger years. Eric approached life with conviction, from the time he was a little kid, whatever he decided he wanted to do, he did wholeheartedly.

Having grown up in Colorado, his father made sure he and his siblings had many outdoor experiences. His love for the outdoors was obvious through his favorite activities, hiking, biking, water skiing, and camping. In his adult years he would speak of spending hours on Horse Tooth Reservoir, water skiing with his dear friend, Cathy Hooper. Although Eric was an outdoor advocate, he was also a complete ‘dork’ as he loved spending time playing Magic with his son, son-in-law, and grandson, and countless hours playing Dungeons and Dragons with his lifelong friends Bill, Thomas, Todd, and Chuck. Eric also loved building model planes and trains, grilling, visiting local breweries and restaurants, and riding his motorcycle. Eric joined the United States Marine Corps after high school, following in his father’s naval footsteps. He spent eight years happily serving his country and was honorably discharged as a Sergent in 1992. He remained friends with Dale and Jeff who also served in the Marines with him. Eric dedicated his time to his children as they grew, he volunteered as a Boy Scout leader, made a mean derby race car and an amazing mountain man breakfast, coached baseball, and loved to tease his children. He loved to spend the weekends out on the lake/river on his boat with Dan and his many friends and family members. He loved to pull the kids around in a tube and make them laugh. Eric was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather, and was loved and admired by all who knew him. There was nothing he would not do to make sure his family was provided for. 

Eric is preceded in death by his parents Hillis Gordon Carlson and Helen Jean (Stephenson) Carlson. He is survived by his wife, Tracy (Niemeyer) Carlson, his three children; Arianna Brooks (Michael), Rebecca Carlson, and Geoffrey Carlson, his grandchildren; Samuel Lane and Sophie Brooks, his stepchildren; Miranda (Gulnac) Watson (Logan), and Riley Gulnac, and his two sisters; Julie Lynn Carlson and Andrea Lee Carlson.



There will be a Celebration of Life in Knoxville, TN at a date and location to be determined for friends and family who are able to gather. In lieu of flowers, please consider make donations in Eric’s honor to The Fallen Soldiers Foundation, a local foster, or a charity of your choice.