James John Carter

James John Carter of Ann Arbor, Michigan and Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away in his sleep at his residence in Grand Rapids on June 22, 2016. He was 76 years old. Jim Carter was born January 7, 1940 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He graduated from Washburn High School, then attended Tufts University receiving a BS degree as a psychology major in 1961. While at Tufts, he joined the ROTC and served two years in the U.S. Navy, first aboard the destroyer USS Brown and then as operations officer on the USS Fortify. He received two letters of commendation from his commanding officers. Following his service, he attended the University of Minnesota Graduate School of Business and Minnesota Law School, obtaining an MBA in 1967 and JD in 1968. He moved east to Ann Arbor, Michigan and was admitted to the Michigan State Bar in 1969. He practiced law and was engaged in business ventures in Ann Arbor until 1997 when he took a teaching job at Maxey Boys Training School in Whitmore Lake after being certified as a teacher at the University of Michigan. He resumed the practice of law in 2001. In more recent years he became passionate about renewable energy and assisted in legal and business capacities with various solar and wind projects. In January of 2016 he was elected Board President of the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association after serving on its board for several years. He is survived by his adoring children, son Matthew Carter, daughter Anne-Marie Carter, loving partner of 16-1/2 years Patricia Pritchard, beloved sister Nancy Meikle, daughter-in-law Kara Carter, granddaughter Amaia Durham, many close and cherished cousins, as well as former wife Alice Carter. He was preceded in death by his mother Mary Carter, father Don Carter, stepmother Ruth Carter, and brother-in-law James Meikle. A Celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Saturday, August 6th at the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor (4001 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103). All who knew Jim are encouraged to attend. Family and friends will gather at 10:00 am, and the Celebration of Life service will begin at 11:00 am. A private burial will be held at an earlier date. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of James J. Carter can be made to the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association: PO Box 534, Rockford MI 49341 or to the Cleveland Clinic Foundation (Memo: Dr. C.B. Esselstyn Fund): P.O. Box 931517, Cleveland OH 44193-1655 or online at clevelandclinic.org/giving