Jack K. Carter

Jack Carter of Corbett, Oregon passed away at home on September 1, 2023, just a few days short of his 91st birthday. Jack was born September 26, 1932 in Porterville, California, a third generation native Californian. His father managed an orange grove and his childhood was spent there.

He graduated from Strathmore High School in 1950 and went on to College of the Sequoias in Visalia. His love of the mountains and forest led him to travel north to Oregon State College. He graduated in 1956 with studies in forestry and Army ROTC. A back problem forestalled a military career, so he began employment with the U.S. Forest Service in 1956.

His first assignment was on the Umpqua National Forest, laying out timber sales. In 1961 he was transferred to Chiloquin when the Winema Forest was developed from part of the Klamath Indian Reservation. In 1964 he went to Yampa, Colorado as District Ranger. This district had sheep and cattle but little forestry or fire action. While in Colorado he received a grant for an advanced degree in fire management from University of California. After getting his Master’s Degree he went to work in the Regional Office in San Francisco and spent the rest of his career there in fire. He promoted the use of fire as a tool to reduce fuels in the forest. He also worked on a team that worked to develop a national communication system to be used on major forest fires. After retirement in 1983 he did some fire management contract work for the Forest Service until moving to Corbett in 1990. His career allowed him to do some traveling and meet with foresters from other parts of the world.

Family was a major part of his life. He met Jean Warren at OSU in 1955 and they married in 1957. Jean and their three children shared his interest in the outdoors enjoying camping, backpacking and other outdoor adventures. Travel in Europe was important having made six trips there.

Jack was predeceased by his parents, Ira and Evelyn Carter; and his sister, Lucille. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jean; children, Linda (Jeff) Hargens, Jim (Andrea) Carter, and John (Tina) Carter; 7 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life for Jack will be held Sunday, September 17, 2023 at 1:00 PM at the home of Jeff & Linda Hargens.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.batemancarrollfunerals.com for the Carter family.