Bernard Francis Carter

1927 - 2013

Bernard Francis Carter, 85, of Granbury died Monday, Jan. 7, 2013, surrounded by his wife and five of his seven children. Service: 11 a.m. Friday at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in Granbury. Interment: in his birthplace, Leavenworth, Kan., at a later date. Memorials: Happy Hill Farm or Catholic Charities. Bernie was born Jan. 26, 1927, to Garfield and Helen Sonnefeldt Carter. His mother died when he was 16 months old. He was raised by his Grandma Anna Sonnefeldt and Aunt Mary Lytell, assisted by Aunt Rose and Aunt Margaret. Bernie always wanted his own family and did so as an adult. He graduated from Lansing, Kan., High School, served in World War II and attended Grinnell College and Colorado State University. He worked for Boeing in Seattle, then he spent his career in mining with Kennecott Copper Corp. in Ely, Nev., Ozark Lead in Salem, Mo., building a copper mine in Globe, Ariz., and completed his career as a mining consultant in Elko, Nev. He retired in 1990 to Granbury to be near grandchildren and play golf. Bernie married Mary Elaine Powell on July 4, 1947, and they celebrated their 65th anniversary. Together they had seven children. Bernie served on the White Pine County School Board in Ely, Nev., for many years and served as the first president of the Nevada State Board of Education. He served on golf committees at deCordova Bend Estates. He was currently a board member of the Acton Municipal Utilities Board. Bernie's greatest pleasure was watching his sons and grandchildren play all sports -- football, soccer, basketball, baseball, golf, rugby, etc. This was closely followed by his love of golf. Retiring on a golf course was his "little bit of heaven." He was highly intelligent and could converse or debate many subjects. Bernie will be missed by many. Survivors: His loving wife, Mary Elaine of Granbury; sons, Bernard Carter Jr. and wife, Susie, of Reno, Nev., Dr. Richard Carter and wife, Kristel, of Arlington, Dr. Jeffrey Carter and wife, Patricia, of Arlington, Timothy Carter and wife, Elizabeth, of Reno, Nev., and Christopher Carter and wife, Taryn, of Prosper; daughters, Kathleen Ennis and husband, Rex, of Eminence, Mo., and Cynthia Carter of Granbury; 19 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.