Walworth County Judge Carlson remembered for giving nature
By Ryan Spoehr
SLN STAFF
Jim Carlson, the 36-year judge of Walworth County, is being remembered as a joyful and caring man after his passing earlier this month.
On March 14, Carlson died surrounded by family and friends in Whitewater. He was 74.
After growing up in Kenosha and receiving undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he began his law career in Whitewater as an attorney at the Dempsey Law Firm. He also spent time as the assistant city attorney in Whitewater.
In 1976, Carlson was elected as Walworth County District Attorney, and two years later he was appointed to the judge position by Gov. Lee Dreyfus, a position he held for nearly four decades.
Carlson also was known for his charitable work through his church, St. Patrick Catholic in Whitewater, the Knights of Columbus and other organizations. He also was a Secular Franciscan.
“If I could be half the man as Judge Carlson was, I’d know I was a great person and on the right track,” said Bryan Taggart, a Whitewater-area resident who had been a friend of Carlson’s for roughly 30 years.
For more on Judge Carlson, pick up the March 29 edition of the Whitewater Register or other Southern Lakes Newspapers publications this week in your area.
