William Mark Carter

William Mark Carter, 78 of Houston (Clear Lake), Texas passed away on September 17, 2021. Mark was born in South Bend, Indiana to Roland and Jane Carter. Mark's father was a geologist, thus he spent his childhood in Bogota, Columbia and Tulsa, Oklahoma, before the family eventually settled in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Mark excelled at school, was a National Merit Scholar, and won a scholarship to Tulane University where he earned a Bachelors of Science in Physics. At Tulane, he fell in love with New Orleans, and much to his gratitude, eventually married into a family with strong local roots to the City.

After graduation, Mark began a 45-year career with various companies in the U.S. Space Program. First, he worked with Boeing to support the Saturn V Rocket Program and was part of a team in Huntsville, Alabama that developed the mockup of the Apollo Launch Center. Later in Washington D.C. and Houston, he worked with Sperry Univac Systems (eventually Unisys) in support of the Mission Control Center and on the Space Shuttle training and support programs at the Johnson Space Center (JSC). After the merger of many of the aerospace companies into the United Space Alliance, he continued to work in support of manned space flight at JSC. He retired in 2008 as Director of Flight Operations Engineering for the United Space Alliance.

In retirement, Mark began volunteering at Armand Bayou Nature Center (ABNC) and experienced his second childhood out on the coastal prairie. Mark worked diligently to learn about prairie plants and grasses and became an avid prairie steward.

He was a regular at 'Prairie Fridays,' bending and stooping to plant and improve the prairie, well into his mid-70s. Mark eventually served on the ABNC Volunteer Board as Stewardship Coordinator. He would later complete classes to become an Interpretive Guide, which enabled him to share his extensive knowledge of Armand's prairie and trails with many visitors to the Nature Center.

Mark completed classes in 2018 to become a Texas Master Naturalist with the Galveston Bay Area Chapter. While his volunteer focus remained on Armand Bayou, he also regularly participated in many bird counts and the annual Spring Hawk Watch, honing his already impressive birding skills. His friendship and dry sense of humor will be missed by his volunteer colleagues at the Armand Bayou Nature Center (or at least he told his family that his fellow volunteers would miss his sense of humor).

Mark proved that one could successfully balance a rewarding professional career with family life. He was devoted to his family. His family was equally devoted to him. They will miss his love, kindness and wonderful sense of humor.

Mark is survived by his wife of 48 years, Jo Ann Carter; brothers Mike Carter and Steve Carter; sister Suzy Carter; sons, Bill Carter, Frank Fuller, Sam Fuller (Candice Annen); daughters, Paige La Rosa (Charles), Shannon Payne, Jackie Dobson (Steve), Jamie Doty (Tim); and 12 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

By marrying Jo Ann, Mark married into a family from New Orleans, meaning he instantly won the affection of a very extended clan (and access to very good food). Mark loved the New Orleans jazz scene, and he found a kindred spirit in his brother-in-law Dale. His mother-in-law Anna considered him to be her own son. For all his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, he was a friend and a steadfast love. To his many nieces and nephews, he will remain their fun Uncle Mark.

Mark was a firm believer in science, protecting our environment, and volunteerism. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, Mark's beliefs be honored by making donations to the ALS Association of Texas or the Armand Bayou Nature Center. A celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, November 7th, at 10am at Armand Bayou Nature Center.