Thomas Carter

TOM CARTER IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Thomas Beck Carter, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, died October 9, 2008 from respiratory failure following a brief illness. Tom was born January 10, 1928, in Ware Shoals, South Carolina, the son of Jesse and Sarah Elizabeth Butler Carter. He attended schools in North and South Carolina and junior high and high school in Salt Lake City Utah. He also attended classes at LDS Business College. He joined the U.S. Army in March 1946 and served in Tokyo and Omea, Japan. In January 1949, he was called to serve a mission in the North Central States Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. While on his mission, he served as chaplain at the Mayo Clinic. He married Nina M. Grantham on March 17, 1953 in the Salt Lake City Temple. They were blessed with six children: Laura White, Lesley Carter, and Linda Carter of Salt Lake City, Utah; Paul (Jolynn) Carter of Orem, Utah; and Thomas W. Carter and Brian (Joanna) Carter of Rexburg, Idaho. Tom and Nina divorced in 1973. Tom married Fern Walker Prestwich March 19, 1977, in the Idaho Falls Temple. Their blended family included Fern's children: Linda (Edward) Evans of North Bend, Washington; Debi Saunders and Karen Adams of Idaho Falls; and Brian Prestwich (deceased). Tom was hardworking, compassionate, and a man of deep faith. His greatest joys were in spending time with his family and serving others. He also loved traveling with his wife and friends, and going out with their social group. In addition to the joy he found in his family, he loved the Church and held various callings, including Stake High Councilman. He was a faithful, devoted home teacher and loved being a grandpa in the nursery. He also served for over 20 years as a temple officiator in the Idaho Falls Temple. He and Fern filled a mission to San Diego in 1993 - 1994. In most of his jobs, Tom was involved with either sales or management. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to open and operate Carousel Stationery and Office Supply from 1971 - 1992, with stores in Rexburg and Idaho Falls. Along with his brother Jesse, Tom owned and operated Official Essentials at two locations in Utah from 1980 - 1990, when he was bought out by a junior partner, Kelvin Sharp. Survivors include his wife Fern, 9 children, 33 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and his sisters, Myra Stewart, Dorothy Huntsman, and Josephine Davis of Bountiful, Utah; Mary Parker of Ovid, Idaho; LaRue Lineberry of Salt Lake City, Utah; and Carma (Joe) Prows of Boise, Idaho, as well as his two sisters-in-law, Ruth Carter of St. George, Utah, and Kathryn Aldridge of Shelley, Idaho, and numerous nieces and nephews. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Sarah and Jesse Carter; his sisters, Grace Aldridge and Laura Carter (infant); his brother, Jesse Carter; Fern's son, Brian Prestwich; and brothers-in-law, Dan Aldridge, Randall Stewart, Richard Lineberry, Dean Huntsman, Archie Parker, and Ted Davis. Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 14, 2008, at the Idaho Falls LDS Woodruff 2nd Ward, 1660 - 12th Street, with Bishop Michael Phippen officiating. The family will visit with friends Monday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 South Ammon Road, and Tuesday from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the services at the church Burial will be in the Iona Cemetery under the direction of Wood Funeral Home. Military Rites will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and the Idaho Honor Guard. --------------------------------------------- Condolences received online: Alan & Marilyn Barber barberjazz@gmail.com Dear Fern & Family, Marilyn and I were saddened very much to read of Tom's passing. Tom was a dedicated home teacher, and his efforts to keep us in the vicinity of the straight and narrow were very much appreciated. Our prayers are with you and your family. We pray the Lord will send His Spirit to comfort you and assure you of His love for you and of the reality of eternal life with Him. God bless you all very much. Alan & Marilyn Barber, and family Jan Clark jpclark @ kpmg . com My sincerest sympathies to Aunt Fern and my cousins for the loss of your husband, father and my very dear Uncle Tom. Uncle Tom was a great man and deserves to be honored for the long full life he lived and the difference he made while he was here on this earth. I am sending you all my love along with my husband Craig, and my two children, Jonathan and Cassie. You have been in my thoughts and prayers and I will be at his service in spirit. I love you Uncle Tom! Your niece and cousin, Jan Clark Douglas Walker kbwalker@citlink.net Paul I am so sorry to hear about your dad's passing. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers. Brett & Sue Manwaring Dear Fern and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with at the passing of Tom. May you be comforted in the gospel at this time. Love from, Brett and Sue Manwaring, Scotland Edinburgh Mission