Ed Carter

Columbus Edward Carter II, better known as "Ed" by friends and family, and as "Pop" by his beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren, left his earthly family early Sunday morning on February 2, 2020. Our family feels (and we believe that Ed would agree) that the Lord chose a unique date of such rare occurrence to call home an equally “unique” and “rare occurring” man like Ed!

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, and by his much-loved older brother, "JD" (John Daniel) Carter. Family members left to cherish Ed’s memory, until we are all united again in the kingdom of God, include: his devoted wife of 58 years, Barbara Carter, of Port Arthur, TX; son Mark Carter, his wife Jane, grandson Cole Carter, and granddaughter Halle Carter, all of Nederland, TX; daughter Christi Carter, and fiancé Colin Gaspard, of Houston, TX; grandson, Markus Carter of Houston, TX; grandson, Marlon Carter, his wife Brittany (who Ed considered a granddaughter), great-granddaughter Maddison, and great-grandson Noah, all of Groves, TX; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Ed (aged 82yrs) was a lifelong resident of Port Arthur, Texas. He was born on October 29, 1937 to Columbus and Donnie (Williamson) Carter. Following graduation from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1957, he served his country in the United States Army, achieving the rank of Specialist 4 Ed frequently shared stories of the time he spent stationed in Germany, with one of his favorites recalling how thin he was when he came home! He was able to overcome that weight loss shortly thereafter, and seldom went hungry again ... thanks in no small part to his most excellent selection in his lifelong love ... his partner of 58 years, and our Mom: the stunningly beautiful Barbara Ann Rutledge.

It would be no exaggeration to say that Dad won the lottery, hit the jackpot -- and just plain had the best stroke of fate imaginable! -- when he met and married that girl from a small rural farm near Palmetto, Louisiana. He brought his bride home to Texas in 1961 to start a life together that would produce two devoted children. In due time, they were blessed to become Pops and Maw Maw to their four grandchildren (who just so happen to have hung the moon, and thus could do no wrong, in Pop's eyes), and two great-grandchildren who meant the world to him.

Son Mark was born 9 months to the day after Ed & Barbara's wedding. (According to Dad, this timing created quite a stir in his bride's hometown! He often told of “people counting on their fingers” after they announced that they were expecting!) Mark is considered by many to be the “favorite child,” although this distinction has long been an area of contention with little sister Christi, who was born some seven years after Mark's debut. Christi believes Mark earned his enviable status as “favorite child” in large part because he made Ed and Barbara Grandparents. For the first time, with Markus Bernard. The second time, with Marlon Jacob. The third time, with Cole Elijah. The fourth time, with Halle Caitlyn. In truth, both of Ed and Barbara’s children have always known that they are each loved immensely. Each of them believes that they are “the favorite,” and they could never have hoped for a better Daddy.

The Ed Carter Family is blessed, and has enjoyed a life full of adventures. We treasure memories of family vacations, of fishing and hunting trips (some better than others, and some pure hell from start to finish!) ... all memories of love and togetherness, to last many lifetimes.

An accomplished and award-winning artist, Ed was particularly fond of the heritage of Native American Indians. Countless vacations were spent in New Mexico and Colorado, viewing the historic sights, and visiting numerous Western Art galleries. In his later years, after retiring from DuPont, where he worked as a technician in the polymer lab, he continued to enjoy visiting Indian Reservations of a different sort, located in Kinder, Louisiana. Dad’s painting was a talent and passion that he loved to share with anyone that walked in the door, but his favorite recreational activity (besides flicking his remote control and snacking) was taking trips to casinos with his and Barbara’s extended group of friends. Nothing brought him more joy, and could make him feel better (or walk faster!), than heading to Louisiana to “play a little while.”

Ed had strong opinions about almost any topic, and he would eagerly share his opinions (solicited or not!) with any audience (willing or not willing!). He would not be detoured in telling you what he thought, and why you should think his way, too!

Reflecting back on what became the last year of life for Ed, the family is humbled and indeed we believe dad was too, by the ways in which he was blessed to enjoy it! It included a chartered jet trip to indulge in one of his favorite pastimes, arranged by a beloved friend, John Wayne. Dad thoroughly enjoyed this generous “get away,” and developed a fondness for using a mobility scooter! Later on there was the amazing guided fishing trip with "his boys," planned and re-scheduled so many times that there were doubts it would ever happen. But they finally made it! Upon arriving to meet the guide, the group realized there was no dock for Dad to make an easy transition from the boat. The only way in and out was by ladder! According to those present, a miracle occurred: with the help of Mark, Colin, the guide, and his grandsons, "Big Ed" made it up that ladder and proceeded to make amazing memories on their long-awaited fishing trip. Later, believing Christi might have felt left out after the "men-only" fishing trip (even though she’d grown up fishing with him on Lake Sabine, The Jetty’s, and The Shell Hole, to name a few) he & Barbara traveled to New Orleans with Christi & Colin to celebrate Christi’s 50th on December 30, 2019. It wasn’t an easy trip for Ed, but he was able to enjoy himself ... and to hone his scooter skills again! He even managed to take in the WWII museum and “scoot” down Bourbon Street to eat the oysters he’d been longing for & reminiscing about. That birthday will remain the most treasured of Christi's life. "I was blessed by God to have my Dad for so long, and to celebrate my birthday with my precious parents is more of a gift than I deserved."

We would like to extend our most heartfelt thanks and unending gratitude to the numerous friends and family members who have walked this long, and occasionally difficult, journey with us. Rides to doctor's appointments, trips to get away, calls, visits, prayers ... so many acts of love and kindness that all came together to lift the heavy burden of a terrible illness and ease the weight of it all from moms strong shoulders. We will forever be grateful and will never forget each and every gesture. May God Bless you all, ten-fold!


Special thanks to Dad’s medical team and their staff for their compassionate care and efforts: thank you to Dr. Smith, Dr. Hymell, and The Cancer of Southeast Texas for your kindness and professionalism. Finally, our beloved Dr. Roussel Clement, and Tara, and all of their staff for m working so tirelessly to accommodate Ed & Barbara, and for always recognizing when Barbara needed a bit of care too. We extend our very special thanks and humble acknowledgment to the gentleman who started out as a home health nurse and has become a much-loved member of the family: Manuel Ramirez. Dad and Manuel formed a truly special bond! Bless his heart, for better or worse, Manuel became one of us whether he wanted to or not. As anyone who knew Ed knows he was hard to say no to. Manuel, we love you, and we thank you for everything.

John 14:1-3
1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

A gathering of friends and relatives will be from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., with a Memorial Service to begin at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 8, 2020, at Melancon’s Funeral Home.