Obituary
Cick here to read Don Carter's obituary.
Family and friends of former county commissioner and funeral home owner Don Carter are still in mourning after his death Monday afternoon. He was 63.
The co-owner of Carter Funeral Homes had reportedly been in a hospital since before Christmas. His illness has not been released by family members.
Carter, whose mother, Hazel Bagley Carter, was a powerhouse in area politics for years, served on the Liberty County Commission from June 1988 until Dec. 31, 1994. His brother, Sanford Carter, whom he co-owned two area funeral homes with, was Liberty County’s coroner for years.
In recent years, the lifelong resident of Liberty County was known for his charity work. The Lisa Marie Carter Cardiac Rehabilitation Center at Liberty Regional Medical Center was named for his daughter, who was killed in a car accident.
Carter also played a role in helping Team Liberty County win first place in the 2008 Kiss-A-Pig campaign, which benefited the American Diabetes Association. He raised funds by hosting a fish fry and a Boston butt sale with good friend Bill Goodwin.
“He was one of the finest men in Liberty County,” Goodwin said. “He was always there for anybody in need. He helped all the organizations throughout the community. Over the last 25 years I’ve known him, he’s helped every organization and every charity at one time or another.”
In a statement given to the Coastal Courier, Sanford Carter wrote, “Don and I had a lifetime commitment growing up as brothers and enjoying a little mischief along the way. As adults, we have been partners in a family business, which is a challenge. Not always agreeing on everything, we were able to compromise and operate a successful business. Don was a caring person, committed to family, church and community. He enjoyed politics and supported many charities. He will be sorely missed by family and friends.”
Carter served on the District 6 Liberty County Commission seat, finishing the unexpired term of his late mother, and was re-elected for another term. He served on the board for the Liberty Regional Hospital Authority, the Chamber of Commerce and the Solid Waste Authority, and was a Library Board member.
“Don was a commissioner that was truly dedicated to the entire citizenry of Liberty County,” County administrator Joey Brown said. “It was a distinct honor to work with someone like him as he attempted to make the county a better place to live.”
Former Liberty County Commission Chairman M.L. Coffer said he saw and spoke with Carter a few days before Christmas and found him well, even sharing a few jokes with him. He said he called the family last Sunday only to hear that Carter had made a turn for the worse.
“They called me Monday and said he passed away around 3 o’clock,” Coffer said. “Liberty County lost a good man and a good family man, too.”
“He was definitely a civic leader in the community,” Goodwin said. “He is going to be one person who is sorely missed in this community.”
Read the obituary on page 3A for service and funeral information.
The co-owner of Carter Funeral Homes had reportedly been in a hospital since before Christmas. His illness has not been released by family members.
Carter, whose mother, Hazel Bagley Carter, was a powerhouse in area politics for years, served on the Liberty County Commission from June 1988 until Dec. 31, 1994. His brother, Sanford Carter, whom he co-owned two area funeral homes with, was Liberty County’s coroner for years.
In recent years, the lifelong resident of Liberty County was known for his charity work. The Lisa Marie Carter Cardiac Rehabilitation Center at Liberty Regional Medical Center was named for his daughter, who was killed in a car accident.
Carter also played a role in helping Team Liberty County win first place in the 2008 Kiss-A-Pig campaign, which benefited the American Diabetes Association. He raised funds by hosting a fish fry and a Boston butt sale with good friend Bill Goodwin.
“He was one of the finest men in Liberty County,” Goodwin said. “He was always there for anybody in need. He helped all the organizations throughout the community. Over the last 25 years I’ve known him, he’s helped every organization and every charity at one time or another.”
In a statement given to the Coastal Courier, Sanford Carter wrote, “Don and I had a lifetime commitment growing up as brothers and enjoying a little mischief along the way. As adults, we have been partners in a family business, which is a challenge. Not always agreeing on everything, we were able to compromise and operate a successful business. Don was a caring person, committed to family, church and community. He enjoyed politics and supported many charities. He will be sorely missed by family and friends.”
Carter served on the District 6 Liberty County Commission seat, finishing the unexpired term of his late mother, and was re-elected for another term. He served on the board for the Liberty Regional Hospital Authority, the Chamber of Commerce and the Solid Waste Authority, and was a Library Board member.
“Don was a commissioner that was truly dedicated to the entire citizenry of Liberty County,” County administrator Joey Brown said. “It was a distinct honor to work with someone like him as he attempted to make the county a better place to live.”
Former Liberty County Commission Chairman M.L. Coffer said he saw and spoke with Carter a few days before Christmas and found him well, even sharing a few jokes with him. He said he called the family last Sunday only to hear that Carter had made a turn for the worse.
“They called me Monday and said he passed away around 3 o’clock,” Coffer said. “Liberty County lost a good man and a good family man, too.”
“He was definitely a civic leader in the community,” Goodwin said. “He is going to be one person who is sorely missed in this community.”
Read the obituary on page 3A for service and funeral information.