Laird Stanfield Carter

WEST PEORIA - Laird Stanfield Carter, 81, of West Peoria passed away Thursday, July 16, 2015, at the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria.He was born July 3, 1934, in Peoria, Ill., to Asa and Izetta (Hummel) Carter. He is survived by his son, Matthew (Jami) Thompson of Green Valley, and his two grandchildren.He earned three degrees, a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science from Bradley University in Peoria as well as a master's degree from the University of Missouri at Columbia.Laird worked at Ben Schwartz Food Mart for 37 years, retiring in 2000 as the Dairy and Gourmet Foods Manager.Laird's involvement with the Boy Scouts of America began with Troop 11 in Peoria as a child, and continued through his adulthood through his service as a troop committeeman for Troop 42 in Creve Coeur. In 2011, he was honored with the Watamalo District Award of Merit.In his biography he wrote, "I have lived a pretty full life and Scouting has always been a major part of it. Over the years, I have tried to live according to all the Scout Laws, but I think I have always tried very hard to be as helpful as I could be."A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 23, 2015, at the Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel in Peoria with visitation one hour prior to the service. The Rev. Jack Thompson will officiate. Private inurnment will be at Parkview Cemetery.For more of Laird's life story, please visit his page at www.Davison-Fulton.com. Arrangements under the direction of Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel, Peoria, IL.