Christopher Steven Carter

Chris was born on October 17th, 1955, to Robert and Myrtle Carter, and was raised in Turner, KS. In the first years of his life, he was co-raised by his paternal grandparents, Estel and Mary Carter, while his father served in Korea. He was joined in 1958 by a younger sister, Deborah, with whom he shared a special bond that continued throughout their lives. Chris graduated from Turner High School in 1973. His parents purchased a local burger stand and Turner landmark, the Tasty Queen, and Chris worked there through high school. During his youth, he became an avid writer and reader, and from an early age would read the morning newspaper cover to cover.

Chris attended college at Kansas City Kansas Community College before transferring to the University of Kansas, where he majored in Radio, Film, and Television. He was the President of the Kansas chapter of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Shortly after graduating, he was a reporter for KAKE News, based out of Wichita.

Chris made a name for himself in the business world working with the Boasberg Company, primarily in their association with Marion Laboratories, before starting his own media marketing business - Gilbert, Christopher, and Associates, later called ICON Marketing. During the 1990s, Chris developed and oversaw the media marketing strategies for dozens of consumer products and health-related causes. Throughout his career, he worked closely with the The Epilepsy Foundation, and was an integral voice in bringing their cause to national prominence. In later years, he became a political consultant, and helped devise political strategies for several candidates and causes in Wyandotte County.

Chris met his wife, Nancy, in 1977, and they married on August 25th, 1979. Their son, Nathan, was born in 1986, and their daughter, Maggie, followed in 1989. Chris’s family was the joy of his life. The family of four traveled the country together, and spent many weekend nights watching movies. Chris and Nancy raised their children in Turner, and later, in Shawnee. Chris was an unwavering advocate for public education, and knocked on doors to help pass school bonds.

Chris was a lifelong fan of Kansas Jayhawks basketball. He possessed an eclectic mental curation of music and movies, and particularly enjoyed 1970s soul and R&B. His knowledge base was unrivaled. He could name, from memory, session players from obscure albums, and identify unknown musicians from grainy black-and-white performances.

In his later years, his world revolved around his three grandchildren, Lucy, Eleanor, and Millie. “Peaches,” as he was known to his granddaughters, was a constant source of unabashed silliness. He saved his energy for time with the girls, and soaked in every moment of their laughter, quirky remarks, and playful shenanigans. His love grew as his family grew, and he welcomed his daughter-in-law, Margaret, and son-in-law, Joshua, into his heart and loved them like they were his own son and daughter.

Though his health deteriorated late in life, his intelligence never wavered. A lifelong night owl, Chris was known by family and neighbors to frequently be up in the middle of the night, and was always prepared for an intellectual conversation. He continued to travel to the best of his ability, and in the final years of his life took trips to Nebraska, the Stanley Hotel in Colorado, and a memorable trip with his son to Paisley Park, Prince’s recording studio in Minnesota. Beginning with his honeymoon in 1979, Chris took multiple trips to Disney Parks, and took a final trip with his granddaughters to Walt Disney World in 2022.

Chris was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Myrtle Carter, his mother and father-in-law, Robert and Carole Waller, and his beloved Uncle Junior (Daniel Roy). He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Nancy Ellen Carter, sister Deborah Carter, his son and daughter-in-law Nathan and Margaret Carter and their daughter Eleanor, his daughter and son-in-law Maggie and Joshua Lister and their daughters Lucy and Millie, his nephew Steven Shepherd and his wife Michelle Morris, and his brother and sister-in-law Donald Waller and Sue Ann Hertz, as well as numerous friends and acquaintances.

Chris’s life cannot be adequately condensed into a few paragraphs, and there are many more stories to share. Please join us for a Celebration of Life on Saturday, March 16th, 10:30 AM, at the Matt Ross Community Center - 8101 Marty St, Overland Park, KS 66204. The event will be held in the Community Room. The family requests casual attire with Kansas Jayhawks t-shirts and jackets. Those who knew Chris are aware he never appeared at a social engagement without a “cool, refreshing beverage.” If you would like, please stop and get a soda on your way and enjoy it during the service.