ROBERT R. CARTER

CARTER, ROBERT R.

Robert "Bob" R. Carter of Pensacola, FL passed away May 28, 2011 in Gainesville, FL, surrounded by family. Bob was born January 16, 1922 near Ashburn, GA, to Caulie Lee Carter and Mary Lou Law Carter. He attended school in Sarasota, FL and graduated from Sarasota High School in 1940. He served in the US Army Air Corp. during World War II, rising to the rank of sergeant while serving in the Aleutian Islands. He attended the University of Florida on the GI Bill and graduated in 1949.

Bob worked for the Florida Citrus Commission before joining the Coca-Cola Company, working in both Atlanta, GA and Tallahassee, FL. In the mid 1960's Bob joined the Hygeia family of Coca-Cola bottling plants, rising through management ranks as a route manager in Niceville, FL, sales manager in Gadsden, AL, plant manager in Beaumont, TX, and purchasing director in the company's home office in Pensacola, FL. He retired in the late 1980s, as one of the companies Vice Presidents and served on the companies Board of Trustees. Bob was active in the Rotary Club, and was awarded the Rotary's Paul Harris Fellow Award in 1979.

Bob married Earlene Philpot of Sarasota, FL, in 1954, and they had three children: Rob, Carolyn, and Bonnie. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Lee and Johnny, and his beloved Aunt Maggie, Uncle Ruby and cousin Rosemary Johnson of Ashburn, Georgia. He is survived by his wife, Earlene Carter; children Robert Carter, Jr., (Elaine DuBose) of Austin, TX, Carolyn Carter, (Jay Peacock) of Gainesville, FL and Bonnie Carter, of Austin, TX; and grandchildren Robert Neill Carter, Paul Henry Carter, Jade Rutledge, Jaimie Rutledge, and Max Carter of Austin, TX, and John Peacock of Gainesville, FL, sister-in-law Martha Carter and nephews Robert and David Carter of TN and NC.

A memorial service will be conducted Saturday, June 4 at 2pm in the William E. Rion Room, at The Village, 8000 NW 27th Blvd, Gainesville, FL, 32606. (1-800-654-2996) The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the local Hospice organization in your community or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the care of Forest Meadows Funeral Home, 352-378-2528. Please sign the guestbook at www.forestmeadowsfh.com .