Roydean Clair Carter

For those of us who knew and loved him, On April 4, 2010, the heart of our melody left and joined the heavenly orchestra. The 8th of nine children, Roydean Clair Carter was born on February 15, 1950 in Palmer Nebraska, to Dorothy and Fred Carter. As a young boy, he was small in stature but big in heart. Whether on the baseball field, basketball court, or fishing hole, he had a gift for gathering and caring for down trodden souls. Roy always brought out the best in everyone, he expected you to give it your all. If you were on his team, you could expect to take first or second, you were never the loser. Roy’s motto was; the next best thing to winning is playing the game. These traits continued throughout his life, making each person, whether related or not, feel like they mattered and were of great value. His parents moved to Idaho when he was five. When Roy was in the 3rd grade, his teacher had taught him the song “There’s is a gold mine in the sky.” He came home and quickly taught the lyrics and melody to his siblings. With no radio in the car, they would harmonize en route to their destination, play hard while there, and sleep all the way home. He has reached his goldmine, but we know he is not sleeping. Roy had an affinity for animals. As a young boy, besides your normal pet dog (pumpkin), he had trained pigeons, a pet crow named “joker”, a parakeet he trained to say “pretty boy” and even a litter of pet mice until his mother would find out. As an adult, his interest went towards hunting dogs English Setters, namely Deuce and Duke. Roy attended school in Lewisville educated in the Jefferson County school district, graduating from Rigby High School in 1968. When he was yet a young man, he was drafted into the US Army and went to the serve his country on June 19, 1970 as a combat infantry mortar man; achieving the rank of corporal Sp 4. He served a 13 month tour in Vietnam from November 10, 1970 - October 29, 1971. Receiving an honorable discharge, with the following decorations; National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; with 3 Bronze Service Stars; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Army Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster; Combat Infantryman Badge; and Sharpshooter (Rifle). But the highest honor he achieved was coming home. He returned to Idaho after the service and worked in the construction business with his Dad, his brother Dave and his best friend Nile. Through the years, he also worked with his brother-in-laws, nephews, sons and their friends. He met Carol, the love of his life, in 1976 and he was finally complete. Married the following year on June 25, 1977, they would be blessed with “million dollar babies,” two sons; first Jeffrey Dean on Dec 24, 1980, and Daniel Ray on November 3, 1983. Both of the boys were premature, struggling for life from the beginning; but with the love and rich nurturing of their parents, they flourished and grew into strong young men. Roy had his hunting and fishing partners and Carol found herself surrounded by love. Jeff and Dan’s friends found in Roy’s home, acceptance, freedom and accountability paired with love. They would soon realize that it was a personal relationship with Christ and not religion that provided true freedom. Their home was a gathering place, for all were welcome there. He loved to hunt, fish, pitch horseshoes, throw darts, play foosball, and really, he excelled at all sports; but music was his center. There wasn’t a musical instrument that he couldn’t make work, he was proficient with the guitar and when paired with his voice it was a blessing to the ears. His harmony will be sorely missed. Roy is survived by his cherished wife Carol, his beloved son Daniel (Ashley), his granddaughters Isabelle, and Olivia, and a precious grandson who is expected the end of June. Also tearfully left behind are his siblings, Jim Carter, Larry (Naomi) Carter, Lorna (Charles) Howell, Louann Anderson, Lois (Rendell) Stevens, David Carter, and numerous nieces and nephews. Roy was preceded in death by his father and mother Fred and Dorothy Carter, his brother Mike Carter, youngest sister Marie Neill, and his much loved son Jeffrey. Our loss is heavens gain. A memorial services will be held t 11:00 a.m., Thursday, April 8, 2010, at St. John Lutheran Church, 290 7th Street, Idaho Falls, Idaho. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., at the Rigby Pioneer Cemetery, under the direction of Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby.