Lauren Wayne Carter

Lauren Wayne Carter was born September 10, 1948 in Kansas City, Kansas to Clarence Lowell Carter and Marjorie Lucile Davis Carter and slipped the surly bonds of earth on July 28, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. Between these dates lived a loving son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather with the largest bluest eyes you ever saw. When he was less than two years old his parents became missionaries in India where the family lived for ten years. Lauren learned some of the Marathi language and loved the Indian culture, food and people. The Carter family enjoyed music. As he grew older Lauren would often bless those around him singing favorite hymns in his warm velvety bass voice.

Salem Keizer Church of the Nazarene was where he saw Laura Jacobson for the first time and fell head over heels in love with her that day. She continued to be the love of his life until the day he died. They were married on his birthday in Salem, Oregon, September 10, 1971. Lauren and Laura then went to Nampa, Idaho where he attended Northwest Nazarene University. He volunteered for the Army National Guard until the Vietnam War threatened, so he left the army and joined the navy. He became a boiler technician first and once saved the ship when the boilers were about to explode from overheating. In order to get out of the heat he went to core man school, and then finally became a quartermaster. He developed appendicitis on board the Warden Destroyer and was flown in a helicopter to Saigon for surgery. The hospital there was bombed the day after his surgery causing him traumatic emotional injury and leaving him finally totally disabled from PTSD and other problems from Agent Orange.

When Lauren was able he loved to work with his hands. He was crafty with gold, silver, leather and precious stones. He was a member of the Phoenix Roadrunners Club and did research on gold claims. He was the top of his class in Diesel Mechanic School. His impish laugh came from deep within and his generous heart reached the homeless and destitute at home and around the world. He was generous and thoughtful in gift giving. He set up Coca-Cola and candy machines for the youth in his church to help raise money for building churches and other mission buildings around the world. During his teen years one of the India missionaries wrote the chorus “Has Anybody Told You ‘I Love You’ Today?” Taking that message to heart Lauren told his family and friends he loved them every chance he had.

Lauren is preceded in death by his Parents, Marjorie and Clarence Carter. He is survived by his wife Laura Jane Jacobson Carter, son Ezra Daniel Adiel Carter, granddaughter Destiny Kyrie Carter (Liz Marquardt, mother), sister Emmalyn Carter German (Clarence Dale German, husband), and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, August 11, 2017 at the Maryvale Church of the Nazarene 3201 N 51st Ave, Phoenix AZ 85031 at 11:00 am with viewing from 9:00 to 11:00 am.

Arrangements under the direction of Advantage Colonial Mortuary, Phoenix, AZ.