CAROLAN EUGENE J

1LT Eugene J. Carolan was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 07/22/2021 at the age of 74.4
Lansing, MI
Flight Classes 68-14 and 68-22
Date of Birth 03/12/1947
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with 3/4 CAV 25 INF in 68-69
Call sign in Vietnam CENTAUR 30
This information was provided by Richard Deer - Obit

More detail on this person: Lansing - Eugene Joseph Carolan, 74, of Lansing, died peacefully at home on July 22, 2021. Eugene was born on March 12, 1947 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the first son of Eugene Emmett Carolan and Ruth Evelyn Carolan (nee Sparks). The family resided in Detroit, where Gene graduated from Henry Ford High School in 1965. Gene was drafted and in September 1968, following Officer Candidate School, he served as Captain of the 25th Infantry, 3/4 Cavalry, stationed in Cu Chi, Vietnam. He was a helicopter pilot, earning many honors including the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Silver Star Medal. Gene came home in December 1969 and married the love of his life, Lisa Marie Tasseff, in 1970. The couple had three children and settled in Lansing, Michigan after Gene earned his accounting degree in 1972, Magna Cum Laude, from Eastern Michigan University. Gene joined the Michigan National Guard in 1977 and retired as a Colonel in 1999. He started his own accounting firm, Carolan and Associates, in 1987, and dedicated his professional life to fostering Lansing's small business community. Gene sold his business in 2006 and continued to serve the business community for several years as President of Junior Achievement of Mid Michigan. Gene enjoyed a healthy and productive life but began to decline several years ago, before it was discovered that he had a rare brain condition caused by his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. Gene is survived by his wife of 51 years, Lisa Carolan and three children: Chris Carolan, Connolly Carolan, and Katy (Mike) Reed, seven grandchildren: Maranda (Ruben) Chavez, Mirabella Carolan, Roran Carolan, Bryson Carolan, Elena Reed, Carson Carolan, and Emerson Reed and two great grandchildren: Marceline and Miles Chavez. Gene's two brothers, Kevin Carolan and Sean (Gail) Carolan survive him, and Gene is predeceased by his parents, Eugene and Ruth Carolan. A memorial service is planned at Fort Custer National Cemetery this fall.

Burial information: Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI

This information was last updated 08/01/2021

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024