James F. Carter

1939 - 2025

News story
By Mike Sigov
Blade Staff Writer

GRAND RAPIDS, Ohio - James F. Carter, a former Wood County commissioner and mayor of Grand Rapids, Ohio, who was a U.S. Army veteran and volunteer firefighter, died Saturday at his Grand Rapids home. He was 86.

His wife of 67 years, Sharon Carter, said he died of Parkinson's disease.

State Rep. Haraz Ghanbari (R., Perrysburg) said Mr. Carter's more than 40 years of leadership across local institutions reflected "a deep commitment to community and to practical, people-centered governance."

"Jim was a humble, hard-working guy that didn't sit back and watch life go before him," Mr. Ghanbari said. "He was an active participant in so many different things that helped make our county what it is, whether it was agriculture, whether it was economic development, whether it was serving as a first responder with the Grand Rapids Fire Department, serving his country."

Mr. Carter served six terms as mayor of the western Wood County village between 1975 and 1993, following his service on the Grand Rapids Village Council beginning in 1969.

Also in 1993, he retired from Toledo Edison Co. after a 32 years with the company, most recently as manager of the company's Power Systems Department, where he oversaw a $4 million budget and a staff of 43 across a 2,500-square-mile service area.

As a county commissioner, he served five terms, from 1997 until retiring in 2017.

After retiring from Toledo Edison, he was a client representative with the Poggemeyer Design Group in Bowling Green for four years until he resigned to avoid a conflict of interest when he became a county commissioner in 1997.

"He will be greatly missed," Joseph A. Fawcett, Wood County assistant administrator, told The Blade at the time Mr. Carter retired from the board of county commissioners. "He is a very team-oriented elected official."

As mayor, Mr. Carter was largely responsible for obtaining the grant money that allowed Grand Rapids to install new sewers and streets. The two-year project was completed in 1978.

In 1993, he was presented the Spirit of Wood County Award. The award is given by the Wood County commissioners to current and former county residents who "show outstanding qualities in bettering Wood County as a whole."

Highlights of his time in office, both as mayor and commissioner, also included the restoration of the courthouse, construction of an atrium to connect three government buildings, and bringing Bass Pro Shops to Wood County.

As a leader, he didn't shy away from confrontations, of which as he told The Blade in 1989 he had come to expect his share.

He especially recalled one Saturday afternoon when he was home mowing the grass in a pair of cut-offs and a T-shirt. Someone stopped by and said, "You have to come downtown right away, there's a motorcycle gang tearing up the town." He drove downtown to see for himself what was going on.

"There were motorcycles and ruffians everywhere. I noticed a lady walking out of the food market and as a motorcycle whizzed past her on the sidewalk, she spilled her groceries." That did it, the mayor said to himself as he spotted a big, burly fellow who seemed to be in charge.

Approaching the man confidently, Mr. Carter said, "Hi, I'm Jim Carter, I'm mayor of this town. I'm glad you came to visit, but when you ride on our sidewalks, you're teaching our people bad habits."

The man, who towered over Mr. Carter, glanced around and said, "Hey guys, this is Jimmy Carter and he don't like what we're doing."

As Mr. Carter recounted the story to The Blade, the gang lined up, sped out of town, and was never seen again.

In retirement, he stayed involved with the community through the American Legion, Buckeye Boys State, and Grand Rapids Township Fire & Rescue, a 100 percent volunteer department.

"Jim had a wealth of knowledge and experiences that he did not want to keep to himself," Mr. Ghanbari said. "And he was always willing to share his lessons learned about public life. He was always there to offer a word of encouragement."

Mr. Carter was a past chairman of the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments.

Additionally, he served on the Wood County Board of Education, Wood County Fair Foundation Board, the Wood County Hospital Board of Directors, and the Owens Community College Foundation Board of Directors. He also volunteered for 43 years at Grand Rapids Applebutter Fest.

In 2000, Mr. Carter was inducted into the American Legion Buckeye Boys State Hall of Fame and in 2023 into the Otsego Hall of Fame.

Born July 7, 1939, in Grand Rapids to Henrietta and Elmer Carter, he finished high school and joined the Army where he served with the air defense, specializing in surface-to-air missile systems, from 1958 until his honorable discharge in 1961 with the rank of specialist 5th class.

Once back home, he went to work with Toledo Edison while volunteering as a firefighter and emergency medical technician with the Grand Rapids Fire Department.

He also studied electrical engineering at the University of Toledo and later management at the University of Michigan.

In 1958, he married the former Sharon Parsons, his high school sweetheart. They had two daughters together.

"He was a real family man and a great father and grandfather," Mrs. Carter said. "He was also outgoing. And he was kind and compassionate with everybody."

He was a longtime member of Grand Rapids Calvary Church.

His other memberships included Grand Rapids American Legion Post 232 and the Henry-Wood Sportsman's Alliance.

Along with his wife, surviving are his daughters, Debbie Archambo and Patti Bisher; sister, Marie Powell; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. Thursday at Nazareth Hall, Grand Rapids, followed by military honors at Beavercreek Cemetery.

Arrangements are by Habegger Funeral Services.

The family suggests tributes to the church.