Alva Carlson

Alva Harold Snook Carlson, the son of Alva and Bessie Maries (Lundstrom) Carlson, was born on November 21, 1931 in Des Moines, Iowa. Snook entered eternal rest on July 29, 2011 at Greater Regional Hospice Home, Creston, Iowa at the age of seventy-nine years, eight months and eight days.
Snook attended country school and graduated from Ankeny High School with the Class of 1950. On March 20, 1953, he married Judith Ann Stroh at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Snook served in the United States Army during the end of the Korean Conflict from May 25, 1953 until May 24, 1955.
Snook began working as a tire builder for Armstrong Tire Company in Des Moines. Eventually he worked as a truck tire builder. Snook retired to the farm north of Afton following thirty-two years with Armstrong Tire Company.
Snook delivered the exchange the last twenty years in a 300 mile radius. He volunteered at the Ruan Grand Prix Race and Des Moines and at the Route 66 in Arizona. Snook never missed a NASCAR race on television. He also loved to go to antique shops and yard sales and collected toy cars and trucks. Snook enjoyed being a vendor at Iowas Largest Indoor Flea Market located on the State Fairgrounds for over twenty years. Snook spent many years bowling in a league with other Armstrong Tire employees.
Left to cherish Snooks memory is his wife of over fifty-eight years: Judy Carlson, Afton; his children: Sandy (Mike) McCurdy, Bridgewater; Mike Carlson (Laura Johnson), Macksburg; Paula (Greg) Miller, Lorimor; Peggy (Chris) Overman, Warner Robins, GA; Gayle Lacquement, Norwalk; Fourteen Grandchildren; Seven Great-Grandchildren; his brother, John (Carol) Carlson, Ankeny; and his sisters: Betty Hayes, Shell Knob, MO; Joann (Daryll) Waters, Waukee; and Mary Trapp.
Snook was preceded in death by his parents; his grandson, Dustin McCurdy; and his brothers: Harlan and Dick Carlson.