Ivan R. Carson, age 72 of Hesperia, passed away Thursday, June 11, 2020 at the Spectrum Health Butterworth Campus in Grand Rapids. Ivan was born on August 24, 1947 in Fremont to George Washington and Gertrude May (Roberson) Carson and graduated from Hesperia High School in 1965. Ivan has been a lifelong resident of the Hesperia area and married Alice Fowler on May 14, 1969 in Fremont. Following his graduation from high school, Ivan joined the United States Army and served during the Vietnam War until his honorable discharge and returned back to Hesperia and joined the Michigan National Guard where he served for 22 years until his honorable discharge as Staff Sergeant. Ivan had also worked as a forklift driver at Gerber Products Company for over 30 years in the warehouse. After retirement from Gerber Products Company, Ivan continued working part time trucking cattle and had been a hobby farmer all his life. Ivan enjoyed raising horses and cattle on his farm, gardening but the highlight of Ivan's life was teaching, building and participating in his grandchildren's lives. Ivan is survived by his wife of 51 years, Alice of Hesperia; his children, daughter - Kim (Mike) Sytsma of Hesperia; son – Kelly Carson of Fremont; daughter – Tammy Carson of Fremont; his grandchildren – Brianna (Griffin) Ray; Cortland Carson; Morgan Carson; Katelynn Sytsma; Mikayla Sytsma; Paige Sytsma; his great grandson, Samuel Amos Ray; his daughter-in-law, Mandy Carson; his sister, Ruthie (Richard) Scarbrough of Grant; sisters-in-laws and brother-in-law, Lillian Maxwell; Sue Carson; Mary Carson; Joan Carson; Linda (Bill) Holmes; Marge Smith; Ron (Wendy) Fowler; Lori (Mike) Stencel; many nieces and nephews. Ivan was preceded in death by his sisters and brothers, James Carson; Betty Hicks; Alene Bennett; Marvin Carson; Charles Carson; Willard Carson; Norman Carson; George Carson; Virginia Florine; Calvin Carson; John Carson; Fred Carson; Kit Carson. Graveside Military Honors will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. East Hesperia Cemetery 8800 W 1 Mile Road Hesperia MI 49421. Friends may consider memorial contributions to the Carson family or the Hesperia American Legion Post #411 for memorial contributions in memory of Ivan. Friends may send a condolence, share a memory of post a picture to the Carson web page at www.crandellfh.com Military Honors East Hesperia Cemetery Saturday, July 18, 2020 1:00 PM 8800 W 1 Mile Road Hesperia, MI 49421