Michael Carter

1958 - 2026

It is with great sadness that we announce Michael Rene Carter (67) passed away on Sunday, January 11th, 2026, at his home in Roanoke, VA. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Jack Edward Carter and Carolyn Cecile Haney Carter, and grandparents, Alvie Haskle Haney and Edna McCoy Eppley Haney, John Edward Carter and Mabel Francis Todd Carter.

Mike is survived by his four children; Christopher Carter of Norfolk, VA, Corey Carter of Salem, VA, Kaily Carter of Birmingham, AL and Kinly Carter of Birmingham, AL; sister Kristi Lynn Carter Griffiths (husband Steve and nephews Finn Carter Griffiths and Cole Jackson Griffiths) of Leesburg, VA; and brother Scott Haskel Carter (wife Rebecca and nephew 2nd Lieutenant Grayson West Carter, Ft. Benning, GA) of Fuquay-Varina, NC, and his much beloved dog, Kayla.

Mike was born December 17th, 1958, the first child of Jack and Carolyn Carter, at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, NC. His early years were spent among close family in Charlotte, where he attended Merry Oaks Elementary School before moving to Vinton, VA in 1967. The transition was formative, moving from an urban city to a rural home atop Chestnut Mountain where Mike and his brother explored the wilderness, hunting and fishing, and was a founding member of The Chestnut Mountain Gang. Mike was legendarily feared among the multitude of squirrels and rabbits that inhabited the forests of Roanoke and Bedford Counties. He was a member of Thrasher Memorial United Methodist Church.

But it was from early in his life that Mike began to excel at sports. The first mention of Mike's athleticism came in an article in the Roanoke World News, October 1st, 1969, when at the age of ten, Mike scored a touchdown for the Vinton Lions, 90 lb. Division. From there, Mike's athletic achievements would be noted hundreds of times, in newspaper articles large and small, for Football, Basketball, Track & Field, Baseball and Bowling.

In was from an article in the Roanoke World News, October 25th 1975, that Mike acquired his formal nickname "Zoom" ("Zoom, Zoom, There Goes Carter") describing Mike's scoring 3 touchdowns in one game from three different positions (Punt Return, Kickoff Return, Pass Reception).

Mike Lettered at William Byrd High School multiple years in Football, Basketball, Baseball and Track & Field. In the latter, at the time of his graduation, Mike held the all-time records for Long Jump, Triple Jump, and 100 yard Sprint.

In Football, Mike was coached by the legendary Don Oakes. He was a three year starter at Offensive Wide Receiver, while also holding responsibilities as Defensive Corner Back, Punter, and Kickoff/Punt Returner, racking up multiple touchdowns from each position. He was a two-time, 1st Team All Blue Ridge District, 1st Team All Roanoke Metro and 1st Team All Timesland as both Offensive Wide Receiver and Punter, 1st Team All Roanoke Metro Track & Field, and recipient of the B'nai B'rith Award for Scholar-Athlete. Mike received a full-scholarship to play football at the University of Richmond, and was a true-Freshman starter at Wide Receiver.

Later in life, returning to the Roanoke Valley after college, Mike became a business owner and entrepreneur in Salem and Roanoke. He continued his love of sports by volunteering with the Special Olympics. It is with great sadness that we part with this father, son, brother and friend.

All fall short of God's plans for our lives, yet it is through Jesus Christ, through His grace and redemption, that we are justified as a free gift, offering hope beyond our failings.