Arzo Carson

Arzo Carson, the father of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and a former district attorney in Scott County, died Sunday morning, February 5, 2023. He was 100.  Born Jan. 17, 1923 to John M. Carson and Lavada Laxton Carson, Arzo Carson grew up in the Tunnel Hill community. He graduated from Oneida High School in May 1941, and was a veteran of World War II. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943, and served until 1946.  Arzo was a born again believer and a member of the First Baptist Church of Oneida and he faithfully served as Deacon and Sunday School teacher for many years.

Arzo was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Shirley Laxton Carson; father and mother John M. and Lavada Carson;  brothers: Ovia Carson, Odell Carson, Arvil Carson, sisters: Nannie Mae Lane, Rosalee Thomas, and Sylvia Phillips.  

He is survived by his daughter Scarlett Carson Wirt of Laurel, MD, son Jared Arzo Carson and wife Michelle of Huntsville; grandson John Carson and wife Emily of Robbins, and granddaughter Merry Carson Lay and husband Hughston of Andersonville, TN.  Arzo is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews and other family members and friends.

Carson graduated with a law degree from the University of Tennessee and began his career as an attorney in 1952. He was initially an associate with the Baker & Baker Law Firm (where he met his wife Shirley) and later served as a partner with Carson & Wilson Law Firm from 1956 until 1966.

Carson was an assistant district attorney, and was later elected as attorney general for the 19th Judicial District, which consisted of Scott, Morgan, Campbell, Claiborne, Fentress and Anderson counties. He served in that capacity until 1980, when he was called upon by then-Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander to head up the newly-reorganized Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

As the TBI’s first director, Carson served in Nashville from 1980 until his retirement in 1990. Following his retirement, he was appointed director emeritus of the bureau. Later, in 2009, the Tennessee General Assembly passed a bill, signed by then-Gov. Phil Bredesen, that named the TBI’s headquarters in Nashville in his honor as the “Arzo Carson TBI State Office Building."

Arzo and Shirley traveled extensively in retirement, exploring the U.S. and Canada, while hiking portions of the Appalachian Trail and the Sheltowee Trace but most importantly, embracing the roles of “Papaw and Mimi” to their grandchildren.

Friends may visit with the Carson family on Thursday, February 9, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. until time of funeral service at 7:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Oneida, TN, 201 South Main St., Oneida, TN  37841.  Officiating will be:  Bro. Steve Marcum, Bro. Steve Phillips, and Bro. Crestin Burke.  Music will be provided by the First Baptist Church Choir. 

Committal service will be held on Friday, February 10, 2023, at 12:00 p.m., in the Carson Memorial Park with full Military Honors conducted by the American Legion Post #136 of Oneida.  Pallbearers will be family and friends.

Jones & Son Funeral Home is serving the family of Arzo Carson.

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