Larry Martin Carter

1936 - 2016

Larry Martin Carter

Larry Martin Carter of Redmond, Washington, passed away on May 17th, 2016 at age 79, with his wife and daughters at his bedside. Larry was born on August 21, 1936, in Houston, Mississippi. His family, as did many depression era families, moved continually in search of work and finally settled in Three Rivers, Michigan. His favorite pastimes as a teen were playing baseball and basketball. With a dream of becoming a college coach one day, he attended Western Michigan University where he made the basketball team, but while there, changed his focus to law. He was admitted to The University of Michigan Law School. He married Aileen Hamamoto on July 9, 1960, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and they were married for 56 years.

Larry accepted a job with a law firm now known as K & L Gates in Seattle, Washington, where he was a partner. He lost only three major cases in his 40 year career and presented before the Washington State Supreme Court five times. Larry's drive for equality led him to be actively involved in the ACLU. He helped pass a Fair Housing Ordinance for Mercer Island and eventually other cities in Washington State. One of Larry's best qualities was an open and generous heart. He wanted to right all the wrongs of the world. He performed pro bono work through his law firm, contributed to the support of children overseas, to environmental groups, and charities that feed and shelter those less fortunate.

Larry was an avid hiker and mountaineer. He often told the story of his first view of Mount Rainier, on a train trip to Seattle. He thought, "I'm going to get off and walk right up to that mountain." He knew then he wanted to live here. Through a love of the outdoors, Larry met his closest group of friends, building a camaraderie that lasted his entire life. He shared this love of the outdoors by taking his family on many camping trips. Their favorite spot was Second Beach, where they sometimes explored rocks and tide pools, but often huddled in the tents in the pouring rain. The last trip he took to Second Beach was in September, 2015, when his daughters took him back for a visit.

Larry demonstrated great mental strength as he persevered through a long struggle with alcoholism. Like so many other obstacles, he overcame this and emerged with greater understanding of self and the importance of personal growth.

Family was all important to Larry. He loved to read to his daughters. On camping trips, he retold the entire Lord of the Rings to them, followed by many nights of stories and poems. In turn, they shared this with their own families, and because of Larry, a love of reading was sparked in his grandchildren. He was passionately invested in his grandchildren's education, supporting their college education until his final days. Through camping trips, picnics, and long talks and debates, Larry taught his daughters and grandchildren to be unafraid to stand up for their beliefs, to "play to their strengths," and to respect and accept others as they are.

Larry is survived by his wife, Aileen; his daughters, Julie Crow, and her husband Carl; Valerie Jensen, and her husband Greg; grandchildren Justin Jensen, Carl Tetsuo Crow, Katherine Jensen Parker, Tonayo Crow, Michaela Jensen, and Hailey Jensen; his brother George Carter and his wife Judie; and nieces and nephews.

A private memorial service was held for the family. Because of Larry's passion for the most vulnerable members of society, donations can be made in his name to the Southern Poverty Law Center, at 400 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama, 36104. Please sign Larry's online Guestbook at www.Legacy.com.