Carlton Wesley Carr

1942 - 2022

Carlton Wesley Carr

Carlton Wesley Carr, a lifelong resident of Enterprise, died peacefully at his home in Enterprise on March 7, 2022, after a lengthy illness. He was 79.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M., Friday, March 11, 2022 at Searcy Funeral Home and Crematory Chapel with Rev. Charles Jones officiating. Burial will follow in Meadowlawn Cemetery. The family received friends from 4:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. on Thursday, March 10, 2022 at the funeral home.

Carlton was born on June 4, 1942, near Enterprise at the home of his parents, Wesley and Ethelyn Carr. He grew up in that community, became a member of County Line Baptist Church, and graduated from Enterprise High School. While he was a student at EHS, he met and fell in love with Sue Ann Hughes. They were married on September 29, 1961 and lived happily together until her death in 1995. Their two sons, Steve and Dewayne, were born in 1963 and 1965 respectively.

While he was still in high school, Carlton had joined the National Guard. Even as he worked to make a living for his growing family, Carlton was determined to continue his military training. He went to officer candidate school at Fort McClellan, traveling from home one weekend each month and attending two separate two-week training sessions in the summer. In May of 1969, he graduated with a commission as First Lieutenant, finishing fifth in his class of 70.

After graduation, Carlton traveled back to Ft. Eustis for more training, went to Viet Nam in November of that year, and remained there until November 1970. Shortly before he left, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Air Medal with V-Device for flying combat missions over Viet Nam. He came back to Fort Rucker and stayed as a Helicopter Flight Instructor and Flight Commander as a Captain until May 1974, when he moved back to Ft. Eustis with his family. Instead of taking an assignment to Germany, he decided to get out of the active military and go back home to Enterprise in December 1974, where he completed the remainder of his military assignment in the reserves. Carlton received his honorable discharge from the United States Army in 2002.

As time passed, Carlton met and married Kathy Cotter. They cared deeply for each other; Kathy was always there for him in sickness and in health. Over the years, Carlton spent hours of quality time with and provided encouragement and support for his two stepdaughters and their children.

In addition to Sue Ann, Carlton is preceded in death by his parents, Wesley Carr and Ethelyn Fleming Carr, and a grandson, Christopher Carr. He is survived by his wife, Kathy Cotter Carr; two sons, Steve Carr and wife, Beth, of Samson, AL; Dewayne Carr and wife, Becky, of Enterprise; and three grandchildren, Ashley Carr, of Oklahoma City, OK; Travis Carr and wife, Blythe, of Daphne, AL; and Whitney Carr of Tampa, FL. Additional survivors include stepdaughters, Brittney Cotter, of Enterprise; Hayden Cotter Waters, of Enterprise; and step-grandchildren, Kayleigh Richard, Caleb Richard, and Cotter Waters of Enterprise.

Carlton is also survived by one brother, Charles F. Carr and wife, Lyn of Hoover, AL, and five sisters: Mary Helen Penny, of Valdosta, GA; Carol Jean Farlow and husband, Jim, of Winston-Salem, N.C; Sara Kyser, of New Brockton, AL; Joyce Warren and husband, Roger, of Enterprise; and Janis Gibson, of Ariton, AL.

Carlton had a good life. Besides running, working, and spending time with his family and friends, he was always happiest when on the golf course, especially with his brother and favorite golfing partner, Charles. We will miss him.

You may sign the register book or send condolences to the family at our website: www.searcyfuneralhome.com