Mr. Fred H. Carter, 88, of Sylvester died Tuesday April 8, 2014 at his residence.
The funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Friday April 11, 2014 at Pinson Memorial United Methodist Church with interment following in the Hillcrest Cemetery. Rev. Mike Davis officiated.
Mr. Carter was born on February 18, 1926 in Lake City, FL, to the late William Lee “Will” and Neta Mae Carter. He was raised in Jasper, FL and graduated in 1944 from Jasper High School. After graduation Mr. Carter joined the Army Air Corp and served during WWII from 1944 to 1946. He trained as a tail gunner on the B24 Bombers and spent nine months in the Philippine Islands. Upon his discharge Mr. Carter attended ABAC and the University of Georgia. On December 26, 1947, Mr. Carter married Margaret Burch of Jasper, FL.
In April of 1948 Mr. Carter left the University of Georgia and moved to Poulan, GA where he operated Poulan Turpentine Company for his father. In 1951 he opened the Poulan Gum Market where he bought turpentine for the Glidden Company, and then in 1958 he bought the Poulan Turpentine Company and ran both companies until 1985. Mr. Carter served on the Board of Directors of the American Turpentine Farmers Association.
He opened the first Badcock Furniture store in Sylvester in 1973, owned five coin laundromats in Poulan, Doerun, Ashburn and Sylvester. Mr. Carter was a member of Poulan United Methodist Church from 1949 until 1988 where he served in many capacities in the church and district level. He taught a Sunday School class for 7th and 8th graders for 17 years. In 1988 Mr. Carter moved to Sylvester and joined Pinson Memorial United Methodist Church where he continued to serve the church. He was a member of the W. R. Johnston Sunday School Class.
He was a former member of the American Legion and a lifetime member of William F. Sikes Post 4845 of the VFW where he served in many offices including Commander Aide-de-camp to the National Commander. Mr. Carter had over 40 years perfect attendance in the Kiwanis Club. He served as Chairman on the Worth County Industrial Development Authority, and was a member of the Gideon’s for over 30 years. Mr. Carter was a member of the Hasan Shrine Temple, Worth Lodge # 194 F.&A.M.
Survivors include his son, Hal Carter (Priscilla) of Sylvester; daughters, Janet Carter of Silverthorne, CO and Cindy Cochran (Johnny) of Sylvester; grandchildren, Will Carter (Mindy), David Carter (Jamie), Brett Cochran and Rebekah Cochran; great-grandchildren, Tyler and Morgan Carter and Abby and Rylan Carter; sister, Doris Bassett of Gretna, FL; numerous nieces and nephews; and special caregivers, Christine Williams, Doris Odoms, Lisa Weldon and Dimetrice Jackson.
In addition to his parents Mr. Carter was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Margaret Burch Carter; siblings, Herbert L. Carter, Dr. W.L. “Billy” Carter, Jr. and Dorothy C. Hill.
Pallbearers included Donnie Ford, Tom Cary, Johnny Sumner, Roger Stewart, Phillip Lumpkin and Buddy Harris.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Gideon’s International P.O. Box 5303 Sylvester, GA. 31791 or the Pinson Memorial United Methodist Church P.O. Box 118 Sylvester, GA. 31791
Sign our online guest registry at www.banksfh.com
Banks Funeral Home in Sylvester was in charge of the arrangements.
