Donald R. Carter

Donald R. Carter, 75, passed away November 10, 2010, surrounded by a loving family and close friends at Salem Memorial Hospital in Oregon. He was born February 10, 1935 in Santa Rosa, to Kenneth and Lorraine Carter. Following graduation from Santa Rosa JC, Don became a Federal Drug Enforcement officer. During that time he served in a number of locations including Spokane, Wash., Japan, Hawaii, Alaska, Florida and Las Vegas, NV. After retiring from the DEA in 1986 he received his Bachelor's Degree from UNLV and became a teacher and football coach at Rancho High School in Las Vegas. Don loved life, work and new experiences. After ending his teaching career he worked in such varied positions as a chef in Yellowstone Park, Manager of a fish hatchery in the Pacific Northwest and Park Host. Don's bigger than life personality brought fun and laughter to all who knew him and was matched only by the size and warmth of his heart. Don is survived by two sons, Kenneth Carter and Scott Carter; daughter, Dawn Benham; and five grandchildren, First Lt. Briana Carter, USMC, Brittany Carter, Brilynn Carter, Ashley Rousseau and Sean Rousseau. Don will be forever loved and missed by his family and friends. Don would ask that everyone raise a toast to his memory and the enjoyment of a life lived to the fullest. If there are tears to be shed, let them not be tears of sorrow but of laughter from the good times shared with a loving father and dear friend.