VONDELL "Henry" CARTER

CARTER Col. VONDELL CARTER, USAF (Ret.) Vondell Carter, or "Henry" to his family members, was born on July 1, 1936 in Vienna, VA., the youngest and sixth child of Lillian Brandt and William McKinley Carter. On November 24, 2018, the world lost a gentle man and a proud American. He had an outstanding civilian career with the U.S. Army as a Federal manager for 52 years and a military career for 30 years retiring as a Colonel with the U.S. Air Force Reserves. He served as Commander of Air Maintenance at Andrews Air Force Base and deployed to Japan for two years during this military career. Vondell Carter's family has a long and illustrious history in the integration of Vienna, VA. Considered the matriarch of the Carter family, Keziah Carter, a free woman, bought 50 acres of land near the first Fairfax County Court House for which she paid $300 in 1842, later known as Freedom Hill. Vondell's father William McKinley was born in Vienna, along with his grandmother and great-grandmother. The Carters started the first library for black and white children in their home, when their children were refused books in the local library. Today, Vondell's parents' portraits are hanging in the meeting room in the Vienna library. The Carters were also involved in the desegregation of Louise Archer Elementary School and the purchase of land for the current First Baptist Church in Vienna, VA., where a chapel is dedicated to his father. With this background, the precocious Henry entered college at 15 years of age at the St. Louis University where he majored in Aerospace Engineering and was inducted into the Pi Mu Epsilon, Honorary Mathematics Fraternity. He was also a Distinguished Air Force ROTC Military Student and graduated from the USAF Aircraft Maintenance Engineering School ranking first in his class. Vondell received his graduate education in the Master of Engineering Program at George Washington University. He graduated from the National Defense University, Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the Center for Excellence in Logistics and Technology. During both his civilian and military careers, he received numerous awards, commendations and medals. He holds a U.S. Patent in Fluidics and worked in the areas of Logistics, Airborne Research Engineering, Civil Rights, and Engineering & Science, among others. His decorations include the Air Force Legion of Merit, the DC NG Exceptional and Meritorious Service Award, the Army Commendation Medal and the Presidential Unit Citation and numerous civilian service awards. Known by all as a gentle man and a gentleman, he was the epitome of a Renaissance man - cultured and sophisticated, intelligent, knowledgeable, educated and proficient in a wide range of fields. He counseled youth on educational opportunities and gave scholarships to many, along with advising men and women on financial matters. Foremost, Vondell was a family man and a loving son, brother, uncle, brother-in-law and husband. He married his wife Susan in 1997 at the Windows on the World in NYC after dating for many years between Washington, D.C. and N.J. They had a wonderful marriage that many do not achieve in their lifetimes. They have no children. He leaves behind his wife of 21 years who he adored, his sister-in-law Irene P. Carter, his nephews Warren and Hoyt Carter, his wife's family members Carl C. and Tina Borre, and their children Austyn and Jaidyn, and many close and dear friends. The family will receive friends on Saturday, December 8, from 2 to 2:30 p.m. followed by a celebration of his life at 2:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Vienna, 450 Orchard St. NW, Vienna, VA. He will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors at a date to be determined. In addition to flowers to the church, donations may be made out to the First Baptist Church for their College Connection Scholarship Fund. Online condolences and fond memories may be offered to the family at: www.moneyandking.com www.moneyandking.com