(May 23, 1939 – October 15, 2024)
U.S. Veteran
John Alfred Carter Senior, beloved father and grandad, passed away in Stephenville, Texas on Tuesday, October 15th, 2024. He was 85 years old.
John Alfred (known as J.A. to his friends and family), was born to Georgie “Tennie” Lingle and Clyde Carter on May 23rd, 1939, in Seldon, Texas. He was the third of five children in the Carter family. J.A. received his early education in Lingleville, Texas before the family relocated to Stephenville. While in Stephenville, the Carters lived on Long Street, at 590 Lingleville Road, and finally at Graham Street, where J.A. remained until his graduation from Stephenville High School in 1957. It was here, on the North side of Stephenville, that he made many life-long friends. He also began a newspaper route at 9 years old, rolling and delivering the Fort Worth Star-Telegram every day. He also delivered the Dallas Morning News and the Stephenville Empire Tribune. J.A. gave his life to Christ at age nine at Calvary Baptist Church in Stephenville. Throughout his entire life, he was an upstanding example of the love of Christ, and he leaves behind a legacy of faith and serving others.
On September 10th, 1962, J.A. was drafted and then served as a military policeman, Private First Class, in the 5th Infantry Division. He was stationed in Ft. Carson, Colorado until his Honorable Discharge from service on December 7th, 1963. He received a Medal of Good Conduct and made it home to celebrate his niece Pamela’s 3rd birthday. True love entered J.A.’s life when he met Nora Thackerson in 1964. They were united in matrimony at Greens Creek Baptist Church on July 3rd, 1964, and remained so until his passing. In the final months of 1964, J.A. began working for the Fort Worth post office handling mail. The big purchase with his new salary savings? A new refrigerator for Nora. After a few years as a pair, J.A. and Nora welcomed their first child, Traci Dawn, into the world. In 1971, J.A. was selected as a security guard for the US postal service. His job, along with 5 other guards, was to protect federal judges that held court in post offices. On February 23rd, 1972, they welcomed their second child, John Alfred, Jr., into their family. Not even a month later, J.A. was promoted to Head of Security Sergeants at the Post Office in downtown San Antonio. During these years, J.A. was ordained as a deacon at Castroville Baptist Church, where he and Nora were charter members. Their third and youngest child, Neely Wayne, was born to the Carters in 1974. Shortly after, J.A. became Head of Security for every post office in Dallas, Texas. He was eventually promoted to the Postmaster of Olden, Texas in 1977. He also served as Postmaster in Gorman, Texas. J.A’s long and storied career in the US Postal Service finally came to a close in 1992, when he retired.
Once in retirement, J.A. and Nora did not stop working. In fact, they volunteered in a variety of positions across the United States, starting in 1993, when they became Mission Service Corp volunteers at Austin Baptist Community Center. In the Corps, they moved all over the country. J.A. worked at several camps as a volunteer with Nora where everyone referred to them as “Nana and Grandad.” Wichita Falls, Texas, Cloudcroft, New Mexico, Carlton, Minnesota, Marshall, Texas, Roscommon, Michigan, Green Forrest, Arkansas, and Detroit, Texas: these were the places that were lucky to call J.A. a resident. J.A. showed true skill, hard work, and dedication to his faith while he volunteered. After many wonderful years of partial retirement, Nora and J.A. retired from the Corps and moved onto Nora’s childhood land in Dublin Texas.
In retirement, J.A. focused on his ever-growing family. He adored them and would tell anyone who would listen how proud he was of his kids and grandkids. Each of them could expect “Grandad” (affectionately shortened to G-dad in his later years) to take an interest in their hobbies. In spite of not knowing much about hockey, dance, gymnastics, running, band, or theatre, he would attend every event he could to show his support. J.A. was a known handyman, and his friends and family will enjoy his various woodworks for decades to come. He loved storytelling, birdwatching, and fishing, but his greatest joy was spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife Nora, to whom he was married for 60 years, children Traci Everett (Paul), Dr. John Alfred Carter, Jr. (June), and Neely Carter (Sabrina), 11 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way, his twin sisters, Wanda Walker (Jerry) and Wilma Walker (J.D.) and nieces, nephews and many cherished friends. May his memory be a blessing.
Service Information
Visitation will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 17, at the Greens Creek Baptist Church in Dublin. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 18, at the Greens Creek Baptist Church, located at 1263 County Road 380, Dublin, TX 76446.
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