Edward Cole Carter

Mass of Christian Burial for Edward Cole Carter, 73, Lawrence will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 4, 2016 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church. It will be followed by a private burial. He passed away Saturday, February 27, 2016 at Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community.

He was born March 21, 1942 in Nevada, Missouri the son of Robert and Mary (Cole) Carter.

Ed, also known as Poppa and Eddie, is survived by his wife of 55 years, Becky Hughlene (Burgin) of the home and his children Kelli Kyle Carter, Kayla Riley Lohness, Hugh Edward Carter, and Rebecca Lynne Chavez all of Lawrence. He was preceded in death by his son Tye Chadwicke Carter and grandson Rees Burgin Carter. He is survived by 22 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

Ed was a graduate of Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas where he met his wife, Becky, and was an All-Conference Guard on the 1961 NAIA National Championship Football Team and a member of the Pittsburg State University CIC Championship Baseball Team in 1962. In 1963 he joined Southwestern Bell Telephone/AT&T as a Staff Assistant and progressed through the ranks to retire at the age of 49 as the Division Manager of Regulatory Relations.

Ed greatly enjoyed his family, golfing, trips to Las Vegas, coaching, mentoring, and serving his community. He had a profound effect on those who knew him and many more will be touched by the legacy he left in his service to community.

Ed greatly enjoyed coaching Douglas County Youth Baseball for both the Shockers and the Merchants as well as coaching the Broken Arrow Braves Football Team and serving as Vice-President of the Lawrence Youth Football Organization. He later started that organization’s Gorilla Football Team. Ed was a Co-founder and two-time President of Lawrence Junior Achievement, and a Co-founder and Director of Leadership Lawrence as well as having served on its Board of Trustees. He served as a board member of the Lawrence School District Foundation Board, the Governors Kanwork Committee, and the Kansas Calvary. He served as Director for Standard Mutual Life Insurance Company and the Kansas Industry Council. Ed served as Executive Board Member of the Kansas Council on Economics Education, as an Officer and Executive Board Member of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, as Vice President and Executive Board Member of the Kansas State Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as President and Executive Board Member of the Lawrence Rotary Club, as a Board Member for Peoples Bank, and as Chairman of the Douglas County United Way Fund. He was a Co-founder and Director of several start-up companies and he served on many committees at the St. Lawrence Catholic Center including the committee that worked to establish the Church on the KU Campus. He was elected to the Lawrence City Commission and served as the Mayor of Lawrence from 1980-1981.

Through the years Ed was recognized for many of his accomplishments, receiving the Ambassador of the Year Award from the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, the Kansas Distinguished Service Award from the Kansas Jaycees, and the Paul Harris Fellow Award from Rotary International. Upon graduating from Leadership Kansas, Ed was elected Director by his graduating class. Lawrence Junior Achievement recognized him with the Distinguished Service Award. He received the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, and a Meritorious Achievement Award from Pittsburg State University as well as the Wall Street Journal Award for Leadership and Academic Achievement from the School of Business.

Ed held himself to the highest of standards and expected the same from those who surrounded him. He worked hard always, played hard always and he never knew a stranger.

The family will greet friends from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 3rd at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence and they may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.

12 Condolences

  1. Barbara Barton Hall Rawlings on March 1, 2016 at 7:09 am

    Becky and family,
    My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time. Ed and I graduated from Nevada, MO High School in 1959 and I still have so many wonderful memories. Ed was the best dancer which he still showed off at our reunions.



  2. Dean Capps on March 1, 2016 at 9:58 am

    To Ed’s family, I offer my deep regrets of Eddy’s passing. I remember Ed Carter as a dedicated, challenging and tough competitor on the football field. He took his responsibilities to heart and always dispatched his duties with vigor, as I’m sure he did in his adult life. I was glad to call him a team mate.
    May God bless him with many crowns!
    Dean Capps.



  3. Carolyn Linder Wilson on March 1, 2016 at 5:40 pm

    Sorry for your loss. I attended school in Nevada. MO and knew Eddy. May the live of family and friends comfort you during these difficult days, and my most heartful condolences.



  4. Casey Casebolt on March 2, 2016 at 8:40 am

    A wonderful and great Gorilla has joined the “big team” and oh what an impact he will have. I never had the opportunity to see Ed play for the Gorillas but have enjoyed meeting and visiting with him during the past few years during tailgating and games at Pittsburg State, our alma mater. A great gentleman and obviously a very successful Gorilla in his business and family roles.
    God Bless Ed Carter!!! He is resting in the true arms of peace now.

    Casey Casebolt
    Class of 1966
    Kansas State College



  5. Tom Gosch on March 2, 2016 at 9:15 am

    Another teammate joins Carnie and Joe. I am certainly going to miss Eddies great smile and enthusiastic approve to life. He had accomplished so many positive things and been a great role model for the youth with which he associated. Becky and family, Sue and my thoughts will be with you always. Tom Gosch



  6. Gary Hall on March 2, 2016 at 7:35 pm

    I grew up with Ed in Nevada , he was a close friend . So sorry to hear of his passing . Becky I know it’s hard for you to lose your loved one, Your grief is unbearable .Thinking of you and your family .
    GOD bless Ed and all of you.
    Gary Hall



  7. Lance Larkin on March 3, 2016 at 4:54 pm

    To the entire Carter Family
    I send my condolences and heart felt love and appreciation to all of you. I’ll never forget the years of baseball (the pick off to 2nd base!) support and encouragement to me and my family.

    All those hot summer days at 4H Fairgrounds! The sleep overs with Hugh, b-day parties, boxing matches on the back basketball court….Ed was a huge part of us boys growing up to become men. I don’t know how Becky survived it all!

    A few years ago when I was in Lawrence and playing the Country Club I ran over a couple of holes to say hi. I’m so glad I did as that was the last time I saw him…in his element!

    Ed will be greatly missed but I rest in the comfort that Hugh will continue his legacy of public service. Much Love to all of you!



  8. Sheryl Henry on March 3, 2016 at 6:50 pm

    I was very sorry to see of Ed’s passing and am thinking about you all during this sad time. Sincerely, Sheryl and Rodger Henry



  9. Debbie Vignatelli Konzem on March 4, 2016 at 3:47 pm

    Dear Becky and Family,
    Ed’s bigger than life personality had a positive influence on all that knew him. I was blessed to have had Ed as my Southwestern Bell boss and mentor. May your hearts always be filled with Ed’s love, support and pride he had for each of you.
    Debbie Vignatelli



  10. Denny McLaughlin on March 8, 2016 at 9:18 pm

    Condolences to the family. Eddie and I grew up together .He was one of a kind. They broke the mold with Eddie. A true and loyal friend. R.I.P. brother.

    Denny McLaughlin

    Colorado Springs, Co.



  11. Hayden Jackson on March 12, 2016 at 11:10 am

    So sorry to hear about Eddie. He was a really great guy.

    Hayden Jackson
    Paris ,Texas



  12. Debrah on April 25, 2016 at 10:04 am

    AFAIC th’tas the best answer so far!



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