Jerry Glen Carter, Sr.

(Ret) Lieutenant Commander Jerry Glen Carter Sr. of Fort Smith, Arkansas, died peacefully in his sleep due to complications of dementia on May 21st, 2022 at the age of 82. He was born on April 2, 1940 in Yell County, Arkansas. He was the youngest son of Nora Victoria Lawrence and Odell Fay Carter of Danville, Arkansas.

An exceptional athlete, Jerry graduated from Danville High School in 1957. He committed to Hendrix College where he was a four-year letterman in football and track, earning second-team, All-AIC honors in 1959. Jerry played both offense and defense, was the Warrior punter for four years and served as team co-captain in 1960. He was an important member of the Warrior track and field squad, which won the AIC championship in 1958 and 1959. He was proudly inducted into the Hendrix Hall of Honor in 2009.

After Jerry graduated from Hendrix in 1961, he enlisted in the US Navy. He was accepted into the Officer Candidate School in New Port, RI and served as a Navigation Officer on the A3-Skywarrior, P2V and the EC121 Tracker. He was based on the carriers USS Constellation, USS Roosevelt, USS Saratoga and USS Independence. He enlisted in the Navy Reserve at the NSA in Millington, TN and retired as Lieutenant Commander in 1981.

Jerry had a long and distinguished career with Farmers Insurance Group, starting in Little Rock as an adjuster and agent. Following a promotion, he relocated to Fort Smith where he served as a District Manager until his retirement in 2000.

He met and married the love of his life, Barbara Hill, in July 1982. Together, they enjoyed a loving marriage of forty years.

Jerry was known for having a high moral standard, which set an example for all those who had the pleasure of knowing him. He was a devout Christian, spending much of his retirement leading and participating in Bible studies. Jerry and Barbara are members of Heritage Methodist Church in Van Buren.

Among his many hobbies, Jerry was an avid deer hunter, fisherman and golfer as well as a doting and proud “Pepaw” and “Papa J” to his grandchildren. He was a dedicated patron of Waffle House, enjoying morning coffee with friends. He loved Jesus, his family and friends, his country, any Razorback sport and the Hendrix Warriors.

Jerry is survived by his wife Barbara Hill Carter and their children Sonya Carter Coleman and her spouse Dr. Michael Coleman Jr. of Nashville TN and their children Dr. Madison Mires Coleman, Carolina Carter Coleman, Campbell Riddick Coleman, and Bennett Lawrence Coleman; Tracy Carter Kibler of Dallas and her children Lillian Grace Kibler, William Beckett Kibler and Beatrice Rose Kibler; Daughter Alissa Taylor Van Komen of Dallas and her daughter Avery Isobel Van Komen; son Neal Doss of Minneapolis. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Audrey Lee Carter, and his beloved son Jerry Glen Carter Jr.

Visitation with family will be held Sunday, June 5th at Edwards Funeral Home from 2-4 pm. Interment will be at the Fort Smith National Cemetery at 10:00 am Monday, June 6th.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Heritage United Methodist Church, 1604 E. Pointer Trail, Van Buren, AR 72956 or go to www.heritage.church.org or Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675 or go to www.support.woundedwarriorproject.org