Roll Call Tribute

Scanio-Harper Funeral Home obituary
3110 Airport Road
Temple, Texas 76504
254-899-8888
254-899-8890 (fax)
director@scanioharperfuneralhome.com

Harold Lee Carter
February 21, 1938 - May 13, 2019

Harold Lee Carter was born February 21, 1938 to Ed and Lucille Stuart Carter, in Roby, TX. He passed from this life at his home in Oenaville into his eternal home in Heaven on May 13, 2019.

Visitation will be Thursday, 5-7pm at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home, Temple, TX. Services will be held 1:00pm Friday, May 17, at Memorial Baptist Church with Rev. Shelton Rhodes officiating.

Harold was known as Daddy, Granddaddy, “Pookey” to his family and friends in Roby, and just Carter to others. He attended Roby HS where he was class president, yearbook editor, and officer in FFA. He was also active in 4-H. After graduation from HS in 1956 he attended Texas A&M where he was in the Corp of Cadets. He graduated from College in 1960 with a BS in Agricultural Engineering.

Harold worked for 39 years of federal service. The last 31 were in the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development (formerly Farmers Home Administration) state office in Temple, working with various rural development programs. During his tenure, Rural Development financed more that 200,000 miles of rural water lines, 30,000 apartment units and many community sewer systems, rural hospitals, nursing homes, fire stations, businesses, single family houses and other rural development facilities. While working for the federal government he was instrumental in writing the design criteria for a water system for the Philippines’ main island. In recognition of his lifetime contributions to rural water systems, he was presented the 1997 Friend of Rural Water Award by the Texas Rural Water Association. He retired in 1997 as a GS12.



Harold was married to Rebecca Jane Coney. They moved many times in the early years of their marriage but then were able to build their home on a farm in Oenaville. He always said it was the perfect place to raise happy kids and grandchildren.

Harold later married Melissa Cosper Burtchell. Throughout their marriage they called themselves “Velcro” because they stuck together through everything. They enjoyed volunteering together for the youth of 4-H. They traveled extensively in their RV and had many great adventures (some got a little scary due to their adventurous spirits). They always took any children or grandchildren available. Family and friends were very important to them. Their home was always open for any kind of social gathering.

Harold served on the Troy School Board for a 2yr term. He wanted to serve in any way to be supportive of his children.

Harold enjoyed hobbies in painting and photography. He enjoyed many hours of creating beautiful images. His paintings and drawings focused on rural Texas. His photography captured many areas, most importantly his family.

Harold was involved with 4-H first as a member then as an adult leader. He was awarded

Outstanding 4-H leader in the County, District, and State. In 2013, Harold received the 4-H Legacy Award. He had a passion for encouraging youth. He would do anything he could to help them achieve their goals and to learn self-confidence. He was a superintendent for the Bell County Youth Fair for 18 years. He held numerous photography, art, jewelry making, leather working, and canning workshops in his home. He started a photography workshop for Oenaville 4-H. The first year there were only 5 participants. Within just a few years he was able to expand his workshops to the county, district, then state level. He sponsors the Outstanding Photography Award for the Bell County Youth Fair.

Harold was a member of Memorial Baptist Church. He had many dear friends that he considered family, especially the men’s breakfast group. He attended Tuesday Solace at St. Francis Episcopal Church where he enjoyed great fellowship.

His dearest friend was Jerry Fontaine of Palestine. They enjoyed many years of fishing trips, poker, and wild tales. They loved each other like brothers.

Harold is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Melissa Carter of Oenaville. He is survived by eight children. Sons: Michael (Kathleen) Carter of Midland, Matthew (Jeannie) Carter of North Carolina, Joshua (Kacy) Burtchell of Troy, Jared (Paige) Burtchell of Waxahachie. Daughters: Mary (Kenneth) Pajestka of Rogers, Melysha Carter Hearn of Arizona, Melanie (Wesley) Brown of Midland, and Sarah (Derik) Mitchell of Salado. He is survived by 21 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. He leaves behind two brothers, Chick (Sherry) Carter of Abilene, Neal (Ruth) Carter of Alabama and sister-in-law Loretta Carter of Brownwood. His beloved aunt, Emma Lee Gilmore, and many dear cousins. Parents-in-law: Roy and Dianna Cosper. Brother-in-law, Olen (Michelle) Cosper.

Harold was preceded in death by his parents Ed and Lucille Carter, brother Billy Carter, and sister-in-law Jane Carter.

The family appreciates the exceptional, loving care provided by Scott and White Hospice.

And his Visiting Angel, Karly.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to: Troy Volunteer Fire Dept., PO Box 1, Troy, TX 76579 or at lbda.org for research of Lewy-Body Dementia.

Serving as pallbearers will be his grandsons: Mark Pajestka, Michael Pajestka, Dillon Carter, Colton Carter, Weston Brown, Drake Hearn, Landon Burtchell and Haigan Burtchell. Also, Eric Henkel and Olen Cosper.


VISITATION
Scanio-Harper Funeral Home
Thursday, May 16, 2019
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Email Details
3110 Airport Road
Temple, Texas 76504

FUNERAL SERVICE
Memorial Baptist Church
Friday, May 17, 2019
1:00 PM
Email Details
6161 S. 5th St.
Temple, Texas 76502