Richard I. “Dick” Carter, 92, of Clarke County, Virginia, passed away on Thursday, May 23, 2019, at Blue Ridge Hospice Inpatient Care Center, Winchester, Virginia.
Dick was born on January 5, 1927, in Clarke County, Virginia, the son of the late Raleigh Colston and Josephine Holladay Carter. He joined the U.S. Navy on December 31, 1944, during World War II. He then attended Navy Service School at Gulfport, MS for four months which Berryville High School credited to his record so that he could graduate with the Class of 1945. His mother was presented with his diploma during graduation ceremonies. He served on the U.S. Markab D.T. as a Watertender 3/C until his discharge on May 13, 1946.
In 1953, Dick started his career as tile setter/owner of Commonwealth Tiles in Winchester. He had a great pride in his craft and his customers were very pleased with his work. Many customers became good friends. Over the years, he returned to customers’ homes and businesses and he would have a great big smile when seeing his tile on the walls and floors still in excellent condition.
Dick was married to Jesse Pickett in 1951 and they adopted Cynthia Marie in 1956; she passed in 1971 at the age of 14. In 1958 they adopted Jeffrey Arthur Carter of Clarke County who survives his father. Jesse and Dick divorced in 1981. Then in 1985 he married Bonnadean “Bonnie” McIntire Carter of Clarke County who survives him. Also surviving are step- daughter, Lisa Kay Cather of Missouri and step-son, Robert Allen Cather, Jr. (Teresa) of Frederick County, VA; five step-grandchildren: Ashley Cather Allen (Schuyler); Matthew Cather; Taryn Violette; Jimmy Lee McFarland; and Brianna Tumblin; two step-great grandchildren and four nieces.
Dick was the last surviving member of the family; all sisters – Charlotte Carter, Louise Fenton, Rebecca Decker, Josephine Walton; and brothers -Robert, Douglas, William Bert, Raleigh Colston, Jr. (Toby) and Allen having passed.
Dick was a member of Burnt Factory United Methodist Church since 2017. For many years he had been a member of Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church in Berryville, and First Presbyterian Church in Winchester. He was a previous member of the Clarke County Lions Club where he held many offices and advanced to Deputy District Governor 24-A, but left his membership after 25 years. In 1979 he joined the Winchester Loyal Order of Moose where he held several offices rising to Governor of the Lodge and earning his Fellowship Degree. He and Bonnie visited Mooseheart and Moosehaven several times during their marriage and had considered moving to Moosehaven. Dick served on the Board of the William and Henry Evans Home for Children from 1/1/1996 to 12/31/1999. He loved the Home and his tenure on the Board so he established the memorial to his deceased daughter, Cynthia. Dick was a member of American Legion Post 41 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9760, both in Berryville.
Dick loved sports, especially playing golf and watching his favorite teams on TV- the Dallas Cowboys and the Boston Red Sox.
Dick requested that in lieu of flowers, he would appreciate a donation to his daughter’s memorial fund at William & Henry Evans Home for Children, 330 E. Leicester Street, Winchester, VA 22601, with check made out to Cynthia Marie Carter Memorial Fund or Blue Ridge Hospice Inpatient Center, 333 W. Cork St., Suite 405, Winchester, Virginia, 22601; or Burnt Factory United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 399, Stephenson, VA 22656.
The family will receive friends at Omps Funeral Home, Amherst Chapel from 10:30 am – 12:00 pm on Wednesday May 29, 2019 followed by Reverend Steve Melester delivering the message. All are invited to stay after the funeral and share a meal at the Omps Reception Center, Amherst Chapel.
Inurnment in Green Hill Cemetery, Berryville, will be private at a later date.