Ralph Carter

MORGAN a�" Our father, Ralph Shirley Carter, 96, passed away Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at Family Tree Assisted Living in Morgan, Utah. He was born in Porterville, Utah on August 27, 1917 to Levi Alfred Carter and Clara Pollow Porter. He attended school in Porterville and Morgan. Ralph is a veteran of World War II and served in the United States Navy.

He married Fern Porter on December 13, 1939 in the Salt Lake Temple. They have 9 children, Paul (Vanna) Carter, Vaughn (Carolee) Carter, Shirley (Carl) Dearden, Frank (Carla) Carter, Julia (Paul) Johnson, Elaine Barton, RaNae (Randy) Stevenson, Lee (Jeannie) Carter and Lisa (Michael) Kelly, 44 grandchildren, 9 step grandchildren, 129 great-grandchildren, and 15 great-great-grandchildren. Mom and Dad were married for 72 wonderful years. They loved each other devotedly and we all knew it. We are grateful for their legacy of love.

Dad was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all his life and served as a Bishop's counselor, Bishop, High Counselor, Stake Clerk, merit badge counselor and served in the MIA. Dad and Mom served a mission in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and created a great example for all of their children and grandchildren through missionary service and dedication to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Dad attended Utah State University following high school. He dropped his college studies and took employment at Hill Air Force Base to support his growing family, until he took over his father's dairy herd in 1947 and became a full-time farmer. He worked very hard on the farm and taught us to work hard as well. He always understood that he was raising kids, not just cows, and helped us all learn to work and help the family.

Dad returned to Weber State University at the same time that several of his children were in college and earned his teaching degree. He was employed by Morgan School District and taught high school math for 13 years. Many residents of Morgan County were privileged to sit in Dad's math classes where they were always expected to pay attention, do their best and behave in a respectful way.

He was a wonderful father and grandfather. He loved to fish, hunt, be outdoors and spend time with his family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Fern Porter Carter; his parents; two brothers, Samuel and Charles Carter; six sisters, Virginia Baer, Alice Polanski, Marian Fisher, Ireta Jensen, Vivian Burke and Bessie Durrant; and one great-great granddaughter Hadlee Jane Ashcroft. He has a living brother, Walter Carter.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 22, 2014 at 11 a.m. at the Morgan 5th Ward Chapel in Porterville (2700 S. Morgan Valley Drive). A viewing will be held Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Walker Mortuary in Morgan (45 W. 200 N.) and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.

Interment will be at South Morgan Cemetery.

The family wishes to express special thanks to all of the staff at Family Tree of Morgan and Hospice for Utah, who gave Dad compassionate and loving care. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.