Lewis Carter 1923-2017
Today we lost a son of the greatest generation. Lewis C. Carter, 93, of Holton, passed away peacefully Wednesday, April 26, 2017, at Holton Community Hospital.
He was born May 10, 1923, in Millen, Ga., the son of John Lewis and Mary Alicia (Butler) Carter. After graduating from Roosevelt High School, Kansas City, Mo., in 1941, he proudly served in the United States Navy during WWII — Pacific Area — fighting in three major battles, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and South China Sea. Lewis earned the Victory Medal, three stars Asiatic Pacific and Good Conduct Medal.
After the war, Lewis traveled the country working on farms and ranches, which led him to studies at Kansas State University. Lewis graduated with a BS in Agriculture and an MS in Animal Husbandry and Genetics.
During his college years, Lewis worked for Kansas State University on their farm and ranch and later taught the university's adult education program, teaching farm management. Throughout his career Lewis proudly displayed his livestock brand, Clothespin E.
While teaching, Lewis attended Washburn University School of Law, graduating with a Juris Doctorate. Lewis began private law practice in nominal partnership with E.V. Bruce in Holton for 13 years; he served as Municipal Judge for the City of Holton from July 1959-1960. In August of 1961 he was appointed Chief Attorney for the State Property Valuation Dept; in 1969 he was appointed Special Assistant Attorney General and later Assistant Attorney General.
On Jan. 1, 1971, Lewis was appointed by Chief Justice Price to serve as Clerk of the Kansas Supreme Court, where he worked until his retirement on Aug. 30, 1991. In retirement, among Lewis' many activities he enjoyed playing harmonica with local country musicians and analyzing the stock market.
He was member of several bar-related organizations, including the Bar Association of the State of Kansas, Jackson County Bar Association, National Conference of Appellate Court Clerks where he served as president (1981-1982), Appellate Rules Committee, Administrative Procedures Committee and Records Committee.
Local memberships included Holton VFW Post 1367, American Legion Post 44, Holton Masonic Lodge 42 AF&AM, Scottish Rite Bodies and Arab Shrine, where he belonged to the Royal Order of Jester Court 125.
Lewis married Jeane Katherine Coggins on Nov. 26, 1947, in Kansas City, Mo., celebrating 69 years of marriage last year. She survives of the home.
Other survivors include two sons, John Carter (Stacey) of Tucson, Ariz., and Blaine Carter (Lynda) of Lake Wabaunsee; daughter-in-law, Catherine L. Carter of Albuquerque, N.M.; three grandchildren, Ashley, Elyse and Eryn; and one great-granddaughter, Renee.
He was preceded in death by a son, Steven D. Carter; a sister, Kathleen Rickert; and a toddler brother, John Lewis Carter Jr.
You've lived a full and remarkable life, Dad. We love you and will miss you.
A private family graveside service with military honors will be held at the Floral Hill Cemetery in Kansas City, Mo. Mercer Funeral Home in Holton is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriner's Hospital for Children or Holton VFW Post 1367, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
