Dean Carter

Dean Carter, 91, passed away February 4, 2025, in Houston. He was born November 2, 1933, in Enid, Oklahoma to Orville and Lucille Carter. Dean spent the first decade of his life in Enid and then Los Angeles. In the 1940s his family moved back to Oklahoma, where he graduated from Enid High and entered college. From an early age he worked alongside his father and grandfather in their family woodworking business, shaping a lifelong love of the craft. Over the years he built beautiful furniture for his family. He married his high school sweetheart, Rita, in November 1952. She was the love of his life and his devotion to her was unwavering. Their love story spanned over seven decades, and they remained each other's greatest support. Rita, Dean, and their sons Mike and Denny left Enid for Cleveland in 1957, where Dean accepted a position with Arthur G. McKee, marking the beginning of a successful career in engineering and construction that included positions in San Francisco, Buenos Aires, St. Louis, Tulsa, and Houston. In addition to his love for woodworking, Dean’s affinity for aviation was a defining passion in his life and he spent many years as an avid pilot. Over those years he owned a series of small planes and logged more than 1,500 hours flying all over the U.S. For 30+ years Dean, Mike, Denny, son-in-law Chris, and brother-in-law Mark (a former Air Force F-86 pilot) made it a tradition to attend EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, an air show held each summer in Wisconsin. His enthusiasm for learning and trying new things continued throughout his life, particularly during the challenging years of the pandemic, when he joined his wife in exploring quilting—Rita’s passion that Dean soon came to love. He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Jeanne; brother, Jerry; and daughter-in-law Bonnie. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Rita, and children Mike and Lisa Carter, Denny Carter, and Marilyn and Chris Munson. He is also survived by his grandchildren Mary Tupa (Michael), Teresa Manacci (Mario), Annie Carter, and Camille Carter as well as his great grandchildren Matthew, Gabriel, and Joseph. The Carter family will receive friends for visitation and rosary Monday, February 17, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, TX 77079 with Mass of Christian Burial immediately following at 10:30 a.m. A reception on church grounds will follow Mass; all guests are invited to attend it as well as burial services at 1:00 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home & Cemetery, 13001 Katy Fwy., Houston, TX 77079. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Catholic Charities or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Dean Carter

November 2, 1933 - February 4, 2025