J. Garrett Carter
January 11, 1943 ~ April 23, 2006
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
J. Garrett (Gary) Carter, 63, of 28 Manetta Road, Asheville, died Sunday, April 23, 2006, at Memorial Mission Hospital.
Mr. Carter was born in Buncombe County and was the son of the late Andrew Carnegie Carter and Florence Kincaid Carter. He received a degree in History from Mars Hill College and served three tours in Vietnam with the US Army.
Early in his career he worked as an accountant with Professional Management before joining the management staff of Green Hills Cemetery. His work there as manager for more than 25 years was more than a job for him, because it became his mission to assist grieving families.
He was a 50-year member of First Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon, greeter, Children’s Sunday School Teacher, and Vacation Bible School Teacher. He was a loyal member of the Blue Ridge Emmaus Community. He was also a multi-gallon blood donor at the American Red Cross.
Surviving Gary are his wife, Sandra Garren Carter; one son, USMC Gunnery Sergeant Darby F. Carter, and his wife, Kimberly, currently stationed in Brussels, Belgium; one grandson, Joseph Nelson Carter; and two cousins, Sallie Thomason and her husband, Charles, and Clarence Blackstock and his wife, Joanne.
Military honors will be provided by the Buncombe County Veterans Council at the graveside service at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at Green Hills Cemetery.
A memorial service will follow at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church, conducted by the Revs. Eddie Morgan and Donna Painter.
His family will receive friends at the church immediately following the 3:00 p.m. service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC 28801, or to the American Red Cross, 100 Edgewood Road, Asheville, NC 28804.
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I was so sorry to heat of Gary’s death. I also grew up in First Baptist.Mom and I often saw Gary at Atlanta Bread Co, so I was able to keep up with him and hear about other friends through him. I share in your grief. He was a wonderful person and will be missed by many. Love, Bev Goins
Gary will certainly be missed by many people. He was always friendly and kind to me and my family as we shared many memories of Holiday gatherings. My heart goes out to Sandra and Darby and Joseph. May the Lord bless and keep you for all eternity.
We deeply regret hearing about the loss of Gary for he was a very strong and generouse Christian friend that made each day a special day. Being with him in Discipleship Study I know for sure that Gary knows the Lord and is being welcomed into His Everlasting Kingdom. Gary shared many experiances with us that helped each one in the study class to see Jesus in a gracious loving way.
May God comfort you in the days to come and may you find comfort and love in those that are close and dear to you and the family.
With Love
Mark and Carol
Our heartfelt sympathy in the loss of our dear friend Sallie Thomason’s cousin Gary Carter. We feel like we know Gary through the many loving comments made by Sallie, she spoke lovingly of Gary and his family. Our sincere sympathy to the Carter family.
what a grand guy he is… i say is because people this special will always be with us… i celebrate his life and know all of his classmates will agree.
It was such a pleasure knowing Gary; he was easy to talk to, so supportive of Sandy and her paralegal career, and so proud of Darby.
Gary was always friendly and fun to associate with while a student at Lee Edwards HS. Our thoughts and prayers are with the remaining family at this time.
Dear Family:
It seems a lifetime ago when I met Gary Carter. Dot Sherman had recruited me to be the women’s teacher in a Singles Group that was meeting at what was then the FBCA parsonage. Claude Frazier and Bob Crouch were the teachers for the two men’s classes. As was my custom then and now I had many of those people into my home numerous times, including Gary. That is when our friendship began.
He had just returned from Viet Nam and was a hurting man. His sensitive nature was damaged because of what he had witnessed there. It was so gratifying to watch him heal emotionally, take his place in the business world, and become a leader in the church. What a happy day when he fell in love with Sandy. His joy was complete with Darby as he grew through the youth department, fell in love, married, and had Gary’s grandchild. I will miss him! He enriched my life.
Sandy,
I am sorry for the loss of your husband and you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
I met Gary when I went to work for Green Hills Cemetery. He was my mentor. His kindness and gentile spirit were an inspiration. For Gary, the business was always secondary to the needs of the families he served. He did not just talk the Christian life, he lived it. He remained my friend and advisor after he retired. Now he is being laid to rest in the park he loved and managed for so long. The hills have never been so green. His was a good soul, and I shall miss him very much. Thank you and God bless you Gary.
i remember gary from church when we were children. he gave caring words of comfort to me after my late husband died. he was a fine man with a kind, warm heart. he will be remembered for all his good works in this community. my heartfelt sympathy to his wife sandy and family
To Mrs Carter & family. Gary & I went through High school together.
I always thought very highly of Gary. May God Bless Gary and the Family
Randy Freck
Sandra and Darbi,
Sorry that Sharon had sent me the news about Gary.
Sad thing about life is that we are born to die, at a unspecified time.
Take comfort, relax and take a few deep breaths and know that he is in a better place than here, He faught the war of LIFE and won, and has left us to continue the battle, until we too win the BATTLE OF LIFE.
Speak / write you soon,
Gene Martin
I, too, came to know Gary through the Singles Group of FBCA back in the 70’s. When I met and married my husband, Drew, from that group, we moved away and lost touch with Gary.
Even so, I remember Gary as a very sensitive, caring young man. He liked people, and he was easy to like. He was thoughtful and considerate, and I feel blessed to have known him.
Many of us were going through difficult times as single young adults then, but we went through them together as a group. We shared a bond and helped each other grow. Gary made a positive difference in many people’s lives, including mine.
Even though you’re never fully prepared to lose someone you love, you can have peace and comfort in knowing how loved that person was. I feel blessed to have known Gary, and I offer my sympathy and prayers.
Dear Sandy,
I’m so sorry I’m unable to come to Gary’s memorial service. Please call if there is anything I can do for you or your family.
Love,Carolyn
Frances Ballew and I are thinking about you during this time of grief.
Gary, you were my closest cousin. When I was sad,or upset about things,you would take your time to counsel me. You always had a big heart for all the people that you met. I think of you often and my life is muchly reduced without your presence.
Right now you are probably talking to your family and friends who are already up there. Heaven is a good place for you because you have a perfect body and you are talking to Jesus, God and The Holy Spirit right now.
You knew alot about the Bible and were constantly learning, but you are amazed at the knowledge you have now. If Jesus allows you to be an angle, you are right here now watching out for us. Your spirit is still here and we think of you often. We will always do things and ponder what you would do or think about our decisions. Just know that we all will be there soon to see you.
I just thank Jesus that he allowed me to be your friend and relative. Your death makes me feel closer to death because we are close in age. You normally were the leader of the pack and so it is normal for you to go on before me. When I need your advice, I shall talk to you in my thoughts and solve my problems the way you would have suggested. Your life has influenced my life in a good way. You are apart of my being. Please know that I love you and I am looking forward to seeing you when I get to Heaven.
Love, Joanne Carter Gunter
This is too informal under the circumstances, but wanted you to know that I’m thinking about you.
Sandy, I am so sorry for your loss. Let me know if I can help in anyway. I will keep up with you through Joan.
Sandy, I was so shocked and sorry to read about Gary’ death and have had you in my thoughts and prayers constantly since then. I planned to be at the Memorial Service today but things at the office kept me from walking across to the church in time. However, please know I will continue to think of you and will do anything to help if you need me. Hope to be in touch soon. Love, Ann Lathan
You will be missed. You helped build a lot of fond memories through the years of school growing up. God bless you!