Michael Abbey Carlson, lovingly known as "Swede," of Brady, Texas passed away on Friday, March 27, 2026 in Pontotoc, Texas at the age of 80. Swede was born on January 26, 1946 in Brady to Oscar Abbey Carlson and mother, Florence (Flemming) Carlson. An only child, he grew up in Melvin, Texas and graduated from Melvin High School in 1962. He took great pride in being full blood Swedish, his maternal and paternal grandparents both coming over to America on a ship and settling in East Sweden near Rochelle, Texas.

Swede was a Master Electrician retiring from Caprock Electric in 2000; however, retirement didn't last long and he further went to work at Owens Heating and Electrical for many years. He was an avid hunter and spent most of deer season at the Carlson Family Farm in Melvin, always looking forward to opening weekend when he would have his family and friends out to hunt, grill and play card games. He processed all of his game and was especially known for his deer jerky and summer sausage. Swede enjoyed watching football and made sure to catch the Dallas Cowboys or Texas Longhorns game of the week. During the rest of the year, you could find him at the Brady Golf Course competing in many Golf tournaments with his friends. In the midst of his hobbies, he still managed to make his family a priority, visiting with his children weekly and always keeping Juicy Fruit bubble gum, Vanilla Ice Cream, and Dr Thunder on hand for his grandchildren. Swede was a man of his word but most importantly was a devoted father, "Grandpa Swede," and friend.

Swede is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Oscar and Amanda Carlson; maternal grandparents, John W. And Christine Elizabeth Flemming; parents, Oscar Abbey and Florence Carlson; uncle, Frank "Luke" Carlson; as well as enjoying his first game of Golf in Heaven with three of his very best friends, Harold "Peanut" Owens, Donald "Doodle" Owens, and Leroy Keese.

He is survived by his children, Mikey Holloway and husband, Randy, of Pontotoc, Texas, Richey Carlson and wife, Pam, of Salado, Texas, Rod Carlson and wife, Nancy, of Edinburg, Texas, and Delaine Carlson of San Angelo, Texas; 17 Grandchildren and numerous Great-Grandchildren; and special friends, Johnny Poe and wife, Christie of Brady, Texas.

The family of Swede Carlson will receive friends from 9:00AM to 10:00AM on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Mason Funeral Home in Mason, Texas with funeral service to follow at the Mason Funeral Home Chapel with Joe Boy Johnson officiating. Graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the Melvin Cemetery in Melvin, Tx.

Pallbearers include Rowdy Carlson, Lee Cox, Shiloh Dickinson, Casey Poe, Eddie Montoya, and Cole Holubec.

In lieu of flowers, the family of Swede Carlson requests donations be made to St. Judes Research Hospital and West Texas Rehabilitation Center in his memory.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at masonfuneralhome.net

Arrangements have been entrusted to Mason Funeral Home.