Carter Stephen Zon

Born, December 14, 1943

Passed June 29, 2019

Carter, My Dad,

Was born in Three Rivers, Wisconsin and raised in Des Plaines, IL.

Carter met Sylvia, my mother, in 1965 while completing Marine Corps Flight Training in Kingsville, TX while Sylvia was attending Texas A&I University.

They married December 18th of the same year and raised 2 children, both sons. Stephen, the oldest passed away in 1999 at the age of 32 and Allen resides here in Wichita with his family. Carter and Sylvia lived a long and happy life together for 49 years prior to Sylvia’s passing in 2014.

Carter served the United States during the Vietnam War as a Marine Corps Douglas A4 Skyhawk Fighter Pilot. Flying and fighting with distinction, my father earned several aerial combat and other service medals. A quiet Marine, my father was honorable and modest in all things never speaking of his achievements, rather just living with silent strength.

Following his Marine Corps Service, he was hired by United Airlines in 1969 at the very young age of 26. Two years later, with a downturn in the Airline Industry and his subsequent furlough from United, my dad completed his college degree while working 2 full time jobs and was hired by the Federal Aviation Administration as an Air Traffic Controller in Janesville Wisconsin. There again, he in his quiet manner, performed with excellence and stayed until his recall to United Airlines in 1977. Over the next three decades, my father and mother moved numerous times around the US always with adventure in their minds and hearts.

Finishing up his Airline Career, my dad retired in 2002. He and Sylvia then traveled extensively in their RV around the US bringing family members and creating wonderful memories. In 2014, Sylvia, my fathers’ partner in life of 49 years, passed away as a result of Cancer and related respiratory failure.

However, the Lord then blessed my father for a second time when he met Martha Gallegos at church. They began visiting and spending time together, eventually marrying on December 12th, 2015.

Martha and her wonderful and large family, quickly adopted my Dad and over the following 3-1/2 years made very happy memories together. He loved going to their family gatherings and would talk about all the great food he had with a remembering groan because he ate too much! For those fortunate enough to know him, we will never forget his laugh, the way he liked to sit at the table and talk and his manner when he told a story. When cancer struck in the early summer of 2018, dad fought with every fiber of his being never giving up, and never complaining.

Carter loved the outdoors, and with his Marine heritage always had everything set just right. He excelled at the endeavors he chose be it fishing, boating, bowling, landscaping and gardening. He was always up for a new adventure and project and with his family traveled the world living in Wisconsin, Illinois, California, Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina, Japan, and finally settling in Kansas while maintaining his ranch in Texas.

At the core of his life my Dad loved and trusted in the Lord. He did not shout this from the roof-tops, but, was as solid as granite in his faith. He asked for little, and gave a steadfast strength that we will miss for the rest of our days. He loved his “sweetie” Dawn, and showed this with a look and his trust in her. He loved Martha and relied upon her and her wonderful family. It is and was an honor to be his son, and friend, and he will be missed immeasurably.

My Dad was and always will be an amazing person and soul.