Bobby Joe Carter

Bobby Joe Carter, 63, passed away on Saturday, May 11, 2013 from complications of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Bobby was born August 23, 1949 to Earl and Doris (Whisenhunt) Carter in Merkel, TX. Bobby grew up in Ballinger before moving to San Angelo his sophomore year. He graduated Central High School in 1968 and married his high school sweetheart, Yvonne Shannon, on June 22nd that same year. He attended ASU until being drafted during the Vietnam War and decided to join the Air Force. He was a Munitions Maintenance Specialist (Bomb Loader) on the F-4 and other aircraft. He served with the 323 MMS in Korat, Thailand and 461 MMS in Ubon, Thailand working on the 2.75 rocket pod until the end of the Vietnam War. During his years of service he lived in Denver, CO, Wichita, KS, Austin, Wichita Falls, and Dayton, OH. While on 30 days R&R, he and his wife toured Europe the summer of ’73, spending their 5th anniversary in Paris, France. At the close of the war, he cross-trained into Telephony. Bobby worked for GTE/ Verizon for 28 years as a Business Phone System Specialist, as an installer and repairman. He was a deacon at Grace Temple Baptist Church and past children’s Sunday School teacher and RA leader; was a past president of the Concho Valley Archery Club, and coached Little League Baseball and YMCA Flag Football for several years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, archery, motorcycle riding, the Dallas Cowboys and old TV westerns. Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Bettye Huckabee of Miles, brother Billy Carter, and cousin Don Whisenhunt of Merkel. Bobby is survived by his wife of nearly 45 years, Yvonne (Shannon) Carter; daughter Christy Jones and husband Doug; grandchildren Emily, Brett, Fletcher and Gavin who is due in August; son Scott Carter and wife Jessica; and grandchildren Aubrey and Summer, and Jim and Ruby Shannon. Flowers are welcome, or Memorials may be made to Hospice of San Angelo. A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday, May 13, 2013 at Johnson’s Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at Johnson’s Funeral Home with Dr. George Cooper and Bro. John Rogers officiating. Interment is at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens directed by Mike Andress, chaplain of HOSA. Many thanks to the caregivers of HOSA, especially Debbie Bishop, and Becky Makowsky, volunteers Buddy Beck and Gladys Hicks; LinCare technicians, George, Chris and Manuel; Dr. Cornelius Chinn, Dr. Peter Chang. We are grateful for the love and concern of many faithful friends; Linda Carnes, Jodi Carnes, Janet Nyland and others who came every week to visit. Pallbearers are Mike King, Raymond Huckabee, Stan Shaw, Jason Payne, Bobby Knight and Travis Hobson. Honorary Pallbearers are the deacons of Grace Temple Ministries.