DAVID CARTER OBITUARY
On March 30, 2023, David (Dave) Bert Carter left this mortal existence surrounded by his loving family and the world lost an amazing man. Dave was born on November 13, 1958, in Yakima, Washington to Richard Bert Carter Jr. and Mildred Brown. He was the youngest of Bert and Millie’s four children.
When he was two years old the family moved to Bellevue, Washington. As a child he loved riding his bike, playing with his best friend Chuck, and working hard on his paper route.
Dave moved with his family to Utah when he was in high school and graduated from Bountiful High. Before he even had a driver’s license, Dave purchased a 1962 Ford Thunderbird, without the knowledge of his parents. With the assistance of the seller, Dave rolled the non-working car into his parents’ garage. Dave’s transaction was discovered by his father as he raised the garage door after returning from work. With some convincing, his parents allowed Dave to keep and repair the car. This was the first of many T-birds Dave owned and restored. This became a love and hobby he shared with the family.
After serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in São Paulo Brazil, Dave met the love of his life, Annette Suzanne Easton. They were married in 1981 in the Salt Lake City Temple. They remained in the Bountiful area to raise their family of 5 children and Daisy, the family dog.
In addition to maintaining, repairing, and restoring the family’s cars, Dave had a talent for home maintenance, a skill he learned while managing a McDonald’s during the family’s early years. His children fondly remember another side benefit of this job: prime access to happy meal toys and the McDonald’s playground.
While he and Annette were raising their five young children, Dave returned to school and completed his college degree. Shortly after this, Dave began his career in the telecom industry.
Despite his busy schedule, Dave found time for family campouts, to attend his children’s recitals and concerts, and to involve his children in projects around the house. The highlight of the family’s backyard was a treehouse Dave built with them. His children hold so many memories close to their hearts of the things he did to bring them joy and help them learn and grow.
Dave and Annette’s family grew to include their five children’s spouses. He warmly welcomed each of these new members of the family, treating them like his own children. His tender heart always grew to make space for each new in-law and grandbaby. He never failed to greet his children and grandchildren with a hug and a smile. Dave worked tirelessly to provide for his family and help them build families of their own. He embraced the good times and helped people through the bad times. Plainly put, the world has never seen a better husband, father, and grandfather; and his family doubts it ever will.
The impact of Dave’s love to his family and community is immeasurable. Dave used the knowledge and skills gained over a lifetime of fixing things to help so many people. Visiting his children and their families often included a request for Dave’s help with projects like fixing cars, installing shelves, and repairing sprinkler systems. He cared about the details. He offered this selfless service to extended family members, neighbors, and anyone in need. Dave consistently exemplified the commandment to love one another. Matthew 25:40, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me,” was a scripture Dave loved and aimed to live by. All of Dave’s family members and friends can easily recount a time when Dave lent a hand to lift them up.
Dave was particular in a good way. He loved black licorice, movies, a good head scratch, and a cozy blanket. He took pride in keeping an immaculate, beautiful lawn. His go-to game with the grand babies was pat-a-cake.
During his lifetime, Dave served faithfully in each of his church callings such as a missionary, teacher, elders quorum president, and member of a number of bishoprics. He taught his children to love the Lord.
Dave leaves behind his loving wife Annette and his 5 children, Robert (Amanda), Thomas (Crystine), Melanie McMullin (Jeff), Katie Price (Scott), and Michael (Amy). Dave also leaves behind 18 grandchildren, with one more on the way. He leaves behind two brothers, Paul (Brenda), Mark (Carolyn), and a sister Jan.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bert and Millie, and father-in-law, Bob Gwilliam.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 8, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Springwood Ward chapel, 165 West Monarch Drive, Bountiful, Utah 84010.
Viewings will be held on Friday, April 7, 2023, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main St., Bountiful, Utah 84010 and Saturday April 8, 2023, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church prior to services. He will be buried in the Bountiful City Cemetery.
Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin about 10-15 minutes prior to the service and will be posted below.
