RODDY MAX CARTER, 89, passed into eternity on
April 5, 2025.
Rod was born March 23, 1936, to Jesse & Grace Carter,
at Valley Creek, a small settlement in Southern Taylor
County. He was born in a small frame house provided
for the school teacher in the area. This teacherage
was his home for three years. His family consisted
of parents, Jesse & Grace; brother, Jerry; & sisters,
Gaylia and Janis Carter (RHS-1956). They moved to
Morton Valley, TX in 1939, where his father bought a
small farm. Both parents taught in the Morton Valley
School. During the dark days of World War II, the
school closed for a few weeks so students could help
with the peanut harvest.
The earliest memories of Rod?s Christian Walk revolved
around Harmony Baptist Church in Morton Valley. He
accepted Christ there at age nine and was baptized in
a stock pond along with several of his friends who were
also saved during the summer revival.
The family moved to Ranger, TX in 1949 where his mother
continued her teaching career. His father became the
State Farm Insurance agent in Ranger. Rod graduated
from Ranger High School in the Class of 1954 followed
by college at Southwest Texas State. Other education
included the NCO Academy at Fort Hood. He served eight
years in the Texas National Guard. When the 49th division
was activated in 1961 he served a year of active duty
in Fort Polk, Louisiana.
Rod married Deanne Hazard (RHS-1957) in 1958, the love
of his life, and they were married for 66 wonderful
years. Over the next seven years Rod and Deanne were
blessed with Kellye, Kathy, & Karla, the joy of their
lives, and then seven grandchildren came along. They
are also blessed with three wonderful sons-in-law:
Chuck Stark, Ron Clegg, & McAllen Coalson. The Carters
moved to Weatherford in 1973 and joined First Baptist
Church where two of their daughters were baptized, and
where all three were married. Rod and Deanne worked
many years with the church youth and Young Married
Adults. Rod also served as a deacon at First Baptist.
During his career Rod worked for Lone Star Gas, Ranger
ISD, & 30 years for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
After retiring from USDA in 1996, he worked as a substitute
teacher for Weatherford ISD, a job he truly enjoyed.
Rod is survived by wife, Deanne, the love of his life
for 66 years; his three daughters, Kellye Carter Stark
(Chuck) of Southlake, Kathy Carter Clegg (Ron) of
Southlake, & Karla Carter Coalson (McAllen) of Garner;
grandchildren, Jessica Stark Branch (Michael), Carter
Stark (Wendi), Colby Coalson, Weston Clegg (Meagan),
Ashton Coalson Hutte (Andrew), Brett Clegg Mulherin
(Maxwell), and Raleigh Coalson (fianc , Maitlan); and
11 great-grandchildren with number 12 coming in August;
three adoptive sons, Ben Bartlett of Jackson Hole, Wyoming,
Tommy Christiansen of Grimstad, Norway, & Frankie Price
of Weatherford, Texas; and a host of nieces, nephews,
and friends.
Welcoming Rod into the heavenly kingdom are his parents;
brother, Jerry Carter (RHS-1948); and many other friends
and family.