Thomas "Tom" F. Carter's Obituary
Mr. Thomas F Carter, of Longview, went to be with the Lord on Sunday May 29 after a lengthy illness. Thomas, known by friends and family as Tom, was born on August 2, 1928 to Everett E and Nancy J Carter in Harrisburg IL. On January 14, 1972 he married Genevieve Barth and in 1980 they moved to Longview.
Preceding him in death was his wife of 22 years, Genevieve, his father Everett, his mother Nancy, and his brother Edward. He is survived by his two step sons, Jonathan Barth and wife Brenda of Hallsville; and Kurtis Barth of Montana. Also surviving is a granddaughter Miranda Valera and husband Jonathan of Ft. Worth; grandsons Thomas Barth and wife Sarah of Dallas, Dustin Barth and wife Tera along with great grandson Caleb of Nevada, and Drew Barth of Montana; plus, a nephew Thomas Edworth Carter and wife Brenda of Illinois along with a niece Brenda Dreyer and husband Dwayne also of Illinois; as well as several great nieces and nephews.
Tom was a 20-year veteran of the United States Army with service in Panama, Europe, and the Vietnam Conflict where he served with the 101st Airborne Division.
After retiring from military service and a civilian career he and his wife were some of the founding members of the East Texas Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA. Tom was on the Board of Directors for CASA for a time and in 1996 was named Texas Child Advocate of the Year by the 7th annual Texas CASA conference. For his work in CASA, December 12, 2007 was declared Thomas Carter Day in Gregg County. He volunteered because he felt that children in foster care needed somebody to look out for their rights. One of his most memorable volunteer moments was finding an adoptive home for a child who had been in a residential treatment center. He was an active member of the New Horizon Church of God and had a deep love of God.
While he had a tough outer shell, on the inside Tom was a kind and gentle person. He loved his family, grand kids and his CASA kids. He was a sweet man who always had a kind word for people, a smile, and never knew a stranger. No matter what adversity he faced he would always tell you “I am fine”.
Visitation will be held Friday June 3 from 10 to 11a.m. at the New Horizon Church of God in Longview with the service to follow at 11a.m. with the Pastor Kenneth Antley officiating. Interment will follow in the Lakeview Memorial Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a donation to East Texas CASA would be appreciated.
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