Clermont County is mourning the loss of a community leader and senior services advocate whose public service career spanned two decades.

Greg Carson, who served as Clermont Senior Services’ Chief Financial Officer and as Williamsburg Township’s Fiscal Officer for more than 20 years, died on Jan. 4. Carson was 48 years old.

Carson also served on the Clermont County Developmental Disabilities Board, and he was a member of the Williamsburg United Methodist Church and the Williamsburg Rotary.

State Representative Jean Schmidt issued a statement on Jan. 7, sharing her condolences over the loss of Carson.

She wrote, “I am deeply saddened to hear the news of Greg Carson’s passing earlier this week. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Greg for many years, and I am heartbroken on this terrible loss.

“Greg was a leader in our community dedicating his life to Clermont Senior Services and the people of Williamsburg Township.

“[My husband] Peter joins me in sending my thoughts and prayers to his wife, Bonnie, and their children in the difficult days ahead.”

Carson also served on the Clermont County Developmental Disabilities Board, and he was a member of the Williamsburg United Methodist Church, the Williamsburg Rotary and the Clermont County Republican Central Committee.

Clermont Senior Services, Inc. Executive Director/CEO Cindy Gramke said that Carson was a friend and an integral part of the CSS family.

She said that Carson started at CSS in 2007 as the CFO after working in the manufacturing industry as an accountant and that he was motivated to make the career move primarily because he wanted to settle back in his Clermont County “home” and be part of something that made a difference in the lives of others.

“He found that home here and his skills, expertise, leadership and compassion for others is part of the very foundation of CSS, Service with Heart,” Gramke wrote in a statement shared with The Sun on Jan.7. “Here, at Clermont Senior Services, Greg lived our Mission. I could not have asked for anyone better with whom to work so closely. Greg’s professional work ethic was unquestionable. This strong foundation carried through in both his professional and personal life.”

She added, “Greg’s sudden passing has been devastating to us, but he has, also, had an indelible impact on the core of our Clermont County community.”

Gramke said that Carson’s life, above everything, was totally devoted to his wife, Bonnie, and their two sons, Cooper and Graham.

She went on to some anecdotes about Carson’s personal life, noting that the family was involved with equestrian events throughout the region.

“The boys learned to ride and show their horses early. This was a source of great pride for Greg who, if you have known him, you know that every picture (other than the University of Cincinnati Bearcats football or basketball games – and most of those) is centered around his family,” Gramke shared. “His Facebook page, the walls of his office and his home are showered with family photo collages dating back to Bonnie and his wedding and the boys’ births. Tremendously proud of both of his sons, we loved hearing about their sports events over the weekends and four-wheeler family adventures and, most recently, the addition of their third dog in the Carson household.”

She added, “Greg was incredibly proud of his life partner and his wife, Bonnie. Everything centered around Bonnie and their boys. Bonnie’s strength, her wisdom, her guidance, her faith and her love were things about which Greg often spoke. He knew Bonnie was his rock and would sometimes joke that she even protected him from himself at times! Their lives were hectic, but deeply blessed, and they never took their blessings for granted.”

Gramke closed by saying that she and the CSS community have been blessed to have Carson and his family as part of the CSS family, and that Carson has left a legacy everywhere you look.

Williamsburg Township Trustee Gary Jordan said that as fiscal officer for more than 20 years, Carson managed the township’s finances with integrity and character.

“He was the best in class as a Fiscal Officer. His passion and energy level to serve the community, that he deeply cared for, was tremendous,” Jordan said in a statement shared with The Sun on Jan. 7. “As a team in Williamsburg Township, Greg’s leadership will be tremendously missed, it was our privilege to work and lead with Greg. On behalf of the Williamsburg Township Trustees, our condolences for his wife Bonnie and the boys, they are in our prayers. The community has lost a wonderful leader and we are better because was he was part of our journey!”

Visitation was scheduled for Jan. 9 from 3:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Williamsburg High School. Services were scheduled to be held at the Williamsburg United Methodist Church, 330 Gay St. in Williamsburg on Jan. 10 at 10:30 a.m.