Daily Sitka Sentinel

Steven L. Carleson Dies; Sitka Resident Was 52

Steven Lee “Shine” Carleson

 

Steven Lee “Shine” Carleson made his last set on June 26, 2021, in Anchorage. He was 52.

He was born in Sitka Dec. 11, 1968, to Evelyn (Young) Arriola and Larry Carleson. He was a Tlingit, Eagle, Kaagwaantaan, of the Kook Hit or Box House, and his Tlingit name was Saa’xaa. He was the grandchild of Thomas Young Sr. and Charlotte (Littlefield) Young and great-grandchild of John and Annie (Peters) Littlefield. 

Steven was a proud graduate of Mt. Edgecumbe High School, class of 1987, and attended the University of Alaska, Fairbanks.

He grew up on fishing boats in Sitka and Southeast Alaska and spent most of his life on the water. He began fishing on the Helen H and the Donna Joy with Grandpa, Thomas Young Sr.  He also fished with his uncle, Gary “Sham” Lang Sr., on the Estella and the Seafarer, and for many years did some crab and cod fishing in the Bering Sea on the Brittany and many other fine boats.

Steven was a wrestler in high school and an awesome basketball player.  While at Mt. Edgecumbe, he was the state wrestling champ, 1986-1987.  He loved reading – especially Stephen King books – and he truly had a kind heart and a thoughtful soul. “Anyhoo…”  He was a friend to everyone he met and had a great sense of humor.  He lit up the room when he walked in and he was always happy, had a big smile for everyone and an even bigger laugh.  

Steven was a member of St. Michael’s Cathedral of Sitka, Sealaska Corporation, Shee Atika Incorporated and Sitka Tribe of Alaska.

Steven is survived by his longtime girlfriend Diane Simpson, his brothers Robert and Eric Carleson, sister Kristin Carleson, brothers Michael “Mick” (Lisa) Lang, Richard Lang, Gary (Tonia) Puletau-Lang and Charlie (Beth) Lang and sisters Donna Lang and Charla Bernhardt.  He also leaves behind his Aunty-Mom Alfreda Lang, uncles Edward (Nancy Douglas) Young, Lawrence “George” (Marie) Young, William “Jimmy” Young and uncle Patrick (Shirley) Littlefield; aunty Jennifer Young and uncle Gary “Sham” Lang Sr.  

Steve grew up with and was close to his cousins Dayna (and Josh) Arnold and Anne Carlson Davis; Thomas “Skinny,” Jeffrey and Mitchell Young and cousins David Lang, Greg Littlefield and Andy Larsen. There also are many cousins, aunties and uncles, nephews and nieces and their familie, in Sitka, Metlakatla, Juneau and throughout Alaska, whose lives he had touched.

“We cannot go without saying that Shine was lifelong friends with John Ricaporte, Mike Jackson and Mike Williams, his family said.

He also is survived also by great-aunts Betty Allen, Grace Larsen and Christine Littlefield, as well as great-uncles Smitty (Charlene) Katzeek, Harry Jimmy, Herman Davis and Sergei (Alla) Kan. 

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Thomas S. and Charlotte Young; his mother Evelyn Arriola, father and stepmother Larry and Drena Carleson; his sister Sharon Arriola; brother Rodney Lang; and cousins Calvin “Jr,” Carlson and Lester Young; uncles Thomas “Sonny” Young Jr., Henry Young, and Calvin “Uncle Jr.” Carlson Sr.; and aunty Marilyn May (Young) Carlson.

The family of Steven Lee Carleson extended a very heartfelt “Gunalcheesh” to Fr. Paul Jannakos of St. Luke Orthodox Church in Palos Hills, Illinois, for his steadfast prayers – for Steven and for his family.  

A celebration of life will be announced later.

“Thank you to all the countless friends who loved Steve, and may his memory be eternal,” his family said. Gunalcheesh.