On March 13, 2023, Garrett Carlson, Jr. of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 58. Known for his wide smile and hearty laugh, Garrett's family will miss how he insisted on ending every one of his texts or emails with "etc ...," as if there was always something more to come. Garrett was born on February 5, 1965, in St. Paul, Minnesota, the third child and only son of Diane Wentz [Thomas] and Garrett Carlson, Sr. He is preceded in death by his cherished older sisters Kimberly Macey and Lynn Schell. Garrett leaves behind his beloved sons Gabriel and Cayden, and their mother Erica Carlson. He was a committed stepfather to Alyssa and Blake and Uncle "Geeg" to Clare, Andrew, Nicholas, Catherine, Stephen, Abigail, and Julia. After earning a degree in economics from the University of Minnesota, Garrett garnered a reputation for his innovative financing approach in the development of affordable, multi-family, and senior housing projects. For more than two decades he worked alongside his sister Lynn as both a Principal at The Waters Senior Living and as a Senior Vice President of Shelter Corporation, where he contributed to the development and management of over 15,000 housing units across the country. Garrett coursed through much of his life with a broad frame, a boundless energy, and often with a golden tan. He enjoyed visiting his mother on the island of St. John to compete in blue marlin fishing tournaments and loved to sip rum and cokes on the beach with friends, some of whom he'd known since he was 13. Garrett playfully embraced his "Captain" persona with a pirate-themed license plate that read "ARRRG." His family will always remember Uncle "Geeg's" annual walleye fish fry up north and the many Christmas Eve feasts featuring Garrett's pheasant as the centerpiece. For years it seemed that Garrett would remain a perpetual "cool uncle" but the arrival of his sons transformed his life and fatherhood granted him a deep sense of pride, unlike any he'd experienced before; Garrett's boys are his love and his legacy. In the end, Garrett's foundation in life was his devoted mother Diane, who embodied steadfast loyalty and unconditional patience, loving him with a depth that rivals any ocean. Garrett felt passionately about supporting single mothers facing financial hardship and children in need, so please consider donating in his honor to Feed My Starving Children or Project for Pride in Living. A celebration of Garrett's life will be held Saturday March 25th at 4:00 PM at The Bearpath Country Club, with a cocktail hour to follow. We'll end this as Garrett would have, encouraging you to attend in his favorite attire, something casual, comfortable, preferably with elastic, etc