Donald Gene Carter

Donald Gene Carter died on April 3, 2010, in Odessa, TX, at the age of 81. He was a born-again Christian.

He was born on October 17, 1928, in Iraan, TX, to Leroy and Bess Carter. He moved to Odessa with his parents at the age of 13, and resided there for 66 years. He played football and basketball at OHS, where he graduated in 1947, and from Odessa College, finishing in 1950, the same year he married Norma Jo Burden in Odessa. He continued playing fast pitch softball competitively in local to national venues for the next 27 years.

Don loved his community and invested his time in many leadership positions. He served as president of the Odessa Boys Club from 1967-1968, worked as the 1972 Odessa Chuck Wagon Gang boss, and was president of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce in 1978. He served on the board of the Odessa Housing Finance Corporation, with the Jaycees as an officer and on the board of directors, and on the Ector County Park Board. Don also served two terms as Mayor of Odessa from 1986-1990.

After working with his father in the family business, Don opened D & L Sports Center on N. Grant Street, where he successfully built his business until a fire forced relocation. He re-opened as D & L Trophy Center, and then retired from business in 1989.

Don served faithfully in his church, Second Baptist, as a deacon, Trustee, finance chairman, usher and choir member.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Norma Jo.

He is survived by two sons, J.D. Carter and wife, Stephanie, of Odessa, and Pat Carter and wife, Lynn of Midland, five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren.

There will be a visitation from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 6, 2010, at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.

A memorial service will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 7, 2010, at Second Baptist Church with Rev. Bruce Troy officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Services entrusted to Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Home.