Carson Rodes McKissickCarson Rodes McKissick passed away peacefully at his home in San Marino, Calif., at the age of 85 on Sunday, March 4. He is survived by his wife, Kaholyn, his children Tom and Sally, and his two grandchildren, Maria Paz Posada and Gabriela Posada. Carson was born in San Francisco in 1932. Upon graduating from Lowell High School, he enlisted as a Marine and served in the Korean War. He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley and remained an enthusiastic and supportive alumnus throughout his life. He married his college sweetheart, Kaholyn (née Daily), in 1957. The couple initially settled in Orinda, Calif., and had three children: James Carson (deceased), Thomas Kaho, and Sally. Carson and Kaholyn would have celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on March 8.
Carson started his career as an investment banker at Middendorf, Colgate & Co. in San Francisco. From there he moved to the Lehman Brothers, Los Angeles branch, in 1968, which he eventually built into a great success and earned him a partnership at Lehman Brothers a few years later. Carson continued his career as an investment banker and started his own company, McKissick & Co., in 1982. He also enjoyed professional success as the president of Oakmont Corporation and worked for Trust Company of the West between 1992-1996. Carson served on the board of various companies over the years. His role as a board member at both Matson Inc. and Alexander & Baldwin Inc. lasted more than 30 years and was the basis for his deep love of the Hawaiian Islands, where he celebrated many of his personal and professional milestones. Carson was known as an honest man who provided excellent counsel and served as a mentor to many in both his professional and personal endeavors. Carson's unique talent of bringing people together in business and social situations gained the respect of all who knew him.
Carson had an independence and a strength of character that was governed by kindness and generosity, and he possessed a true curiosity and wonder about life. He also had a deep appreciation for tradition and ceremony, starting from his days as an alter boy at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco through memberships in many clubs and organizations, including Boy Scouts of America(in which he was an Eagle Scout), the U.S. Marines, the Cal Ski Team, Phi Gamma Delta, the National Ski Patrol, the Pacific Union Club, the Economic Roundtable Breakfast Club, the California Club, and, most beloved by him, the Bohemian Club. His membership at the Bohemian Club afforded him the opportunity to see his plays and writings performed under the redwoods in one of his favorite places. He loved the relationships and camaraderie fostered by shared experiences. He always loved a good joke, a well-told story, a song, and a glass of wine shared with friends. One of the most wonderful ways that he exhibited his generosity was by being a great listener, something he always made time for. His strength and love of life helped him live for more than 20 years with Parkinson's disease. He hiked, skied, and was active until his body would not let him do so anymore. He was a man of many interests and hobbies, including scuba diving, photography, cultivating bonsai, writing plays, playing the ukulele, and, perhaps most memorable in his later years, playing the bagpipes—in full Scottish regalia. He had an extensive kilt and hat collection that was always at the ready for any occasion.
Carson will be greatly missed by his family and his many friends. A memorial will be held for him on April 27th at Church of Our Savior in San Gabriel. Donations in memory of Carson may be made to The Semper Fi Fund (semperfifund.org/donate).