Richard Dean Carter (80) of Winter Haven, Florida, formerly of Mason and Effingham

Richard Dean Carter, 80, of Winter Haven, Florida, and formerly of Mason and Effingham, Illinois, passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at Bay Care Hospital in Winter Haven.  Burial services for Richard will be on February 17, 2020, in Bushnell, Florida, at the Florida National Cemetery with military rights. 

Rick, or Rich, was born on February 20, 1939, in Grundy County (Morris), Illinois, was one of nine children born to Oma (Smith) and Gordon Carter.  He graduated from Effingham High School at the age of 17 and enlisted in the US Navy.  After serving in Key West and other warm weather ports, he opted to spend most of his adult life in Florida.  After the Navy, he worked primarily as an independent trucker. 

Rich easily made friends, keeping many for a lifetime.  He married Betty Carroll on August 18, 1972.  After 45 years of marriage, Betty passed away on September 11, 2017.

Rick is survived by one son, Ricky, of Knoxville, Tennessee, granddaughter Hailey, his dear friend Verna Chester, sisters Helen Niccum and Carolyn Kinkelaar, as well as brother-in-law Al Carson. He was known as “Uncle Dickie” to his nieces and nephews, Vicki, Karen, Bill, Doug, Jeff, Rhonda, David, Marc, Darryl, Jon, Jody, Jan, Jeffrey, Mike, Penny, Kay, and Lee.

He was preceded in death by both parents, his brothers Gordon, Jr, and Howard, his sisters Lois and Martha, and his infant brothers Charles and Thomas.