F.L. Carter

On March 28, 2017, Fredrick Lee "Bud" Carter ended a journey of nearly 94 years on this earth. He was born the middle child of Evan Carter and his wife, the former Leslie Schraner. He grew up with an older brother, Elwood and a little sister, Marjorie. As a boy, he hunted rabbits, squirrels, possums and once played hooky from Hammack Grade School to roast a snake he had killed. He loved baseball and played outfield for Tell City High School, where he graduated in 1941. In 1944, he crossed the ocean in a brand new B17 bomber. As a tail gunner on his plane, "The Joker", he flew 35 missions out of Foggia Air Base in Italy. He was discharged at the wars end and came home to his neighborhood sweetheart, Thelma "Toots" Burton. Thelma had been living in Evansville and building wings for the Navy plane, the F4U Corsair. They married January 26, 1946. They bought the farm that Thelma's dad, John Burton, was selling and went to work. Bud worked at the Indiana Cotton Mill for a bit but then lived his life as a farmer. Bud was recognized on various occasions for his farming practices. He took the responsibility of taking care of the land seriously. He enjoyed all things in nature. He never passed up a game of euchre. If heaven is cultivated by John Deere tractors, we are sure he is right at home. He was a member of Lilly Dale Church of Christ and ASCS and had been a board member of Southern Indiana REC and Perry County Planning & Zoning Appeals. He is survived by his wife, Thelma "Toots" Carter and his children, Randall (Mary Jo) Carter, Carol (Larry) Park and Joann (Phil) Etienne. Besides his children, his life was celebrated by his nine grandchildren, Felisa, Cindy, Misty, Stacy, Evan, Wade, Robin, Whitney and Elliot, as well as twenty great grandchildren. Bud was preceded in death by his siblings, Elwood Carter and Marjorie Drake. Funeral services will be at 1:00 PM Sunday at Huber Funeral Home, Tell City Chapel with burial in Schraner Cemetery near "Carter Valley". Bro. Eddie Olberding will officiate. Visitation will be from 3:00 until 7:00 PM Saturday and from 11:00 AM until service time on Sunday. Memorial contributions may be made to Schraner Cemetery.