Michael Cleveland Carter

Michael Cleveland Carter, 82, of Fort Smith, Arkansas passed away Thursday, November 2, 2023 in Greenwood. A Greenwood native, he graduated from Greenwood High School in 1959. He attended the University of Arkansas, receiving a Bachelor of Science in 1964 and his Master of Science in 1965. He was then employed in the Statistical Analysis Division of the Sandia Corporation, prime contractor for the Atomic Energy Commission, in Albuquerque, NM. He returned to academia at the University of Georgia, both teaching and studying, and received his PhD in Statistics in 1970. He then joined the staff as University Statistician at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.

While in Boone, he became the principal investigator on a NASA research project for over 8 years until he graduated from Law School in 1976. It was primarily concerned with statistical studies of atmospheric variables related to space programs.

He was a member of Pi Mu Epsilon, Sigma Xi, and Phi Beta Kappa scholastic honorary societies, and he was the author of several research publications.

Returning again to academics, he obtained his law degree in 1976, and was hired by the Daily, West, Core, Coffman and Canfield law firm, where he practiced law for many years.

He served as the Chairman of the Development Corporation Board, and served on the Board of Advisors and Trustees for St. Edwards Mercy Hospital for many years. He was an attorney in private practice in Ozark for four years, and served on the Board of Directors for the Bank of Ozark, Arkansas Valley Bank, and Newton County Bank. He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of both Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce, and the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce. He served on and eventually became Chairman of the Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission, and Director and Board Chairman of the Phillips Cancer Center.

He was President of Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Corporation in Fort Smith for 12 years retiring in 2008. He served on the Board of the American Gas Association during that time. After retiring from AOG, he was of counsel with Stephens Production Company until 2018.

He was a dedicated bird hunter and traveled extensively with family and friends to hunt, taking his favored bird dogs with him. He was a fine craftsman and built beautiful furniture in his workshop, and when finally relaxing you would rarely see him without a good book.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Grover and Hester Carter, his first wife, Marilyn Hines Carter, and his sister, Pamela Laverne McAllister.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret, three children, Michele, Michael Jr., and Matthew (Helene) Carter, two stepsons, Asheton (Ashley) and Ralph ( Wendy) Carter, and eleven grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, November 21 at Adelaide Hall, 318 Garrison Ave., Fort Smith from 4 – 6 p.m. A private family burial was held at Mount Harmony Cemetery under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood.

To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.