Rique Eugene Carson Obituary (1944 - 2019)

Rique Eugene Carson passed away on September 30, 2019 in Houston, Texas after an extended illness. He was born in Victoria, Texas on May 11, 1944 to Rev. Arthur James Carson and Pearl Lucille Smith Carson. In 1946, his family moved to Houston, Texas, where he attended Poe Elementary, Lanier Junior High and Lamar High School. He also joined and became a lifelong member of South Main Baptist Church in Houston. Thereafter, Rique attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas where he received a bachelor's degree in 1966. He taught in Houston and Channelview schools while attending the University of Houston, and additionally obtained a master's degree in Education. Rique was always interested in travel and seeing new places, so he contacted Rutgers University to explore opportunities to teach overseas. He received an offer to teach in the American School in Tehran, Iran, and he taught there from 1970-1980. The United States maintained a military presence there for many years, and the American families stationed there wanted their children to be educated in English. Those years were his travel years which gave him the opportunity to travel to many places he had always dreamed of visiting. During every school holiday, he would travel to new parts of Asia, Europe, Africa, China, and Japan. Sometimes he would organize tours with other teachers for travel to interesting places together. Even long after he returned to the United States, Rique faithfully attended reunions of this group of teachers and their families. When the situation in Iran became unsettled and increasingly dangerous, Rique went to teach in a school in Estepona, Spain -- a school for Iranian children whose parents had fled Iran for political reasons, and wanted their children to learn in English. Thereafter, Rique taught in New Guinea, Indonesia at the American School in New Guinea in a copper mining camp run by Jim Bob Moffett. While living there, Rique was able to satisfy his travel bug by traveling extensively in Australia. At the end of three years, he returned to Houston, and taught there for the rest of his career in education. He was the primary caregiver for his mother until she passed away in 1991, and, after her death, he continued to teach at Elrod Elementary School in Houston,where he started in 1988, until his retirement in 2014. Rique was predeceased by his parents, two brothers, Dr. A. J. Carson, Jr., of Birmingham, AL, and Jack Carson of Henderson, KY, and a nephew, Kenneth Westmoreland Carson of Glasgow, KY. He is survived by his wife, Ilene Benzman of Houston,TX, along with his 3 stepchildren and 7 grandchildren, also of Houston, TX. He is also survived by his sister Lucille Harrell of Austin, TX., and his sister-in-law, Ina Gottlieb of Boca Raton, FL., along with her children and grandchildren (Boca Raton, FL and Palm City, FL.), and Melanie Carson, widow of Ken Carson, and their daughter, Natalie, of Kentucky. In addition, Rique is survived by and will greatly be missed by his adoring 6 nieces and nephews, Carol Gaither (Tom), Jim Carson (Jennifer), Roger Harrell, David Harrell, Lynn Harrell (Scotty McKern), and Elaine Doering (Roger); his 10 great nieces and nephews, and his 15 great-great nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. Rique's legacy will live on through the students whose lives were changed because he was their teacher and mentor. Rique Eugene Carson was a "one-of-a-kind" person who enriched the lives of everyone he met. The family wishes to acknowledge the incredible Houston Hospice team who took superb care of Rique at home - Angela, Tolu, Marjorie, Robin, Kathy, and Todd. They truly are angels on earth. His family would like to also thank Rique's personal doctors - Dr. Brandon Smaglo, Director of Hematology and Oncology at Baylor College of Medicine(BCM); Dr. Charu Agrawal, Supportive Medicine at BCM; and Dr. Lisa Haubert, his surgeon who was formerly at BCM. Thank you all for providing him with exceptional, outstanding care. Rique won several battles, but sadly, the evil cancer won the war. Family and friends are invited to a Memorial Service celebrating Rique's life at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at South Main Baptist Church, 4100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity or cause that is important to you.