John Steven Carter

April 18, 1958 – June 22, 2023

John Steven Carter, age 65, of Coppell, Texas passed away on Thursday, June 22, 2023.

He was born on April 18, 1958 in Oak Park, Illinois, and moved to his hometown of Milan, Tennessee when he was four years old. He loved growing up on a farm in a small town and remained in touch with many friends throughout his childhood and high school years. He graduated from Milan High School in 1976 and The University of Tennessee at Martin with a degree in business administration in 1981. He earned his MBA in finance and accounting from The University of North Texas (at the time, North Texas State University) in 1985.

He moved to Texas in 1981 and soon after met his wife, Cathy. They married in 1984 and raised two daughters, Julie and Kristen, in their Coppell home of nearly 25 years. He was so proud of his daughters and their husbands, Jonathan and John. With three men in the family all with the same name, his sons-in-law affectionately gave him the nickname “Big John.” His granddaughters, Emma and Lucy, brought him great joy, and their Grandpa always told them he “loved them bunches”.

At the time of his passing, John was working for Lockheed Martin as an engineering and technology financial manager. He was very sharp and a numbers-minded person, and a career in finance suited him. He kept thorough to-do lists and documented everything in his planner, from appointments and bills to car and house maintenance reminders and family milestones.

John believed in the saving faith of Jesus Christ and was a proud American who loved learning about his country’s history. He never met a stranger and would truly strike up a conversation with anyone. He told the best stories and never forgot a joke, especially if it was political or inappropriate!

He was an animal whisperer and enjoyed the companionship of many pet dogs throughout his life. On summer holidays, he made his famous smoked pork shoulder for family and friends to enjoy. He was a big fan of college football, March Madness basketball, 1970s and country music, old movies, and the History and Smithsonian channels.

You could find him outside every weekend, often with a margarita nearby, working in the yard or on a project around the house. He was a handyman who took care of the yard, pool, household, and car maintenance himself, always taking the time to learn if he didn’t already know how to fix something. He worked hard all his life to provide for his family and loved them more than anything.

John was predeceased by his father, John Lester Carter, his mother, Mary Louise Orton Carter, and in-laws Catherine and Kenneth Gordon. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Cathy Lynn Gordon Carter; his daughters, Julie Carter Heckmann (Jonathan), and Kristen Carter Jackson (John); granddaughters Emma and Lucy Heckmann; his sister, Patricia Carter Nagler (Tom); his nephews, Erich and Stephen Nagler (Mary); his niece, Laura Nagler Duncan (Paul); and his extended family and friends.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 30, at 2 p.m. at Rolling Oaks Funeral Home, 400 Freeport Pkwy, Coppell, TX 75019.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in John’s memory to the Student Assistance Fund at The University of Tennessee at Martin. Gifts can be made online via give.utm.edu, or by check made out to “University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc.” with “in memory of John Carter” in the memo line and mailed to: Office of University Advancement, 329 Hall-Moody Administration Building, University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc., Martin, TN 38238.