Newton "Sonny" Buford Carter Jr.

Newton Buford Carter Jr., known to family and friends as Sonny, passed away peacefully on November 3, 2026, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, with his loving wife of 46 years, Kathy Carter, by his side. He was born on August 12, 1944, at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier, Louisiana, to Newton Carter and Edna Webb Carter.

Growing up as an Air Force brat, Sonny spent his childhood in several places, including Shreveport, Louisiana; Savannah, Georgia; Wetzlar and Frankfurt, Germany; Smyrna, Tennessee. He attended Frankfurt American High School in Germany before continuing his education at Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSU).

Sonny began taking photographs at the age of twelve, beginning a lifelong passion that would become the foundation of his career. He worked as a news photographer, cameraman, and producer for CBS and ABC affiliate television stations in Baton Rouge and New Orleans and freelanced for CBS and CNN. He also taught film and video production at Loyola University in New Orleans and NSU. He later returned to NSU, where he taught in the journalism department before spending the final years of his career preserving the university's historical photographs and documents at the Cammie G. Henry Research Center, retiring from NSU.

Photography was more than a profession for Sonny. He had a remarkable eye for detail and a gift for finding beauty in things others might overlook. This was especially evident in his beloved Friday Flowers, a passion project through which he shared photographs of flowers with people around the world. Many of his photographs featured flowers grown by his wife, Kathy, an avid gardener. He enjoyed learning about each flower and sharing that knowledge with others. He even posted on Thursdays so his friends overseas could enjoy them on Friday. Through his photography, he encouraged others to slow down, look closer, and appreciate the little miracles surrounding them.

Sonny was a man of strong convictions who believed in standing up for what was right and just. He taught his children to stand up for what they believed in and was never shy about sharing his opinions. He was famously difficult to prove wrong in a conversation, though he might eventually admit, after doing his research, that he was at least partially wrong. He was also a lifelong cat lover and always had a soft spot for the cats who shared his home.

Above all, Sonny loved his family. He had a special way of making each person feel loved, understanding what they needed and making sure they knew how important they were to him. He often reminded his family how much he loved them. He and Kathy shared 46 years of marriage and a love that was an inspiration to everyone around them. They were each other's rock, and the stories he told about their life together often sounded like something out of a movie.

Sonny's legacy lives on through his photographs, the history he helped preserve, the students he taught, and the family he loved so deeply. He taught those around him to look closer, find beauty in unexpected places, stand up for what they believe in, and never forget to tell the people they love how much they matter.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy Carter; his sister, Linda Bernard; his children, Adam Carter, Eric Carter, Ilsa Carter, Angie Coleman, and Shawn Caillouet; and his grandchildren, Everett and Eli, children of Adam and Savanna Carter; and Marcus, Ian, and Alessandra, children of Angie and Damon Coleman. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Savanna Carter; his son-in-law, Damon Coleman; and Eric's fiancée, Kathy Hume.

A service celebrating Sonny's life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, November 9, 2026, at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 123 W. Sale Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana 70605.

Flowers and plants are welcome. For those who wish to make a memorial donation, contributions may be made in Sonny's name to St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church or the American Kidney Fund.

He will be deeply missed, but his photographs, stories, and love will continue to live on through all those whose lives he touched.