Dave was born in Sturgis, Michigan on June 21, 1946 to Erny and Sue Carter (nee Stegall). He went to a one-room school in Constantine, Michigan until he entered and graduated from Constantine High School in 1964 (he loved saying, “We had 63 graduates in ’64; we would have had 64 in ’64, but so and so flunked out.”). He worked his way through Western Michigan University and graduated with a B.S. in accounting (he proudly said, “With no debt!”). He joined the United States Air Force and became a captain and pilot during the Vietnam War. After serving his country, Dave’s love of flying led him to become a commercial pilot for Braniff International Airways.
In 1980, Dave moved to Las Vegas to be a partner with his brother in a small motorcycle store. After two moves into larger buildings, he started his own venture and built Carter Powersports. Dave not only built a successful business, he also built a close-knit family. Many of his employees have been with the company since its early years as a small family business. Through Carter Powersports, which started as a humble shop with just a handful of employees and grew into an industry-leading operation, Dave touched the countless lives of those who walked through his doors.
Dave valued kindness and generosity and used his success to give back to his local community. He started the Las Vegas Ride for Kids in 2005, which has raised over a million dollars for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. He was a big supporter of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and he helped numerous other charities for children, veterans, and animals. He always said we should help those who were in bad situations through no fault of their own. He was also an active member in the Las Vegas Executive Association, Rotary, and Kiwanis.
Dave was the most loyal, responsible, and ethical person you could know. He practiced what he preached, and he always spoke up when something wasn’t right. He even honked at people he saw littering (he would say, "They need to know they shouldn't be doing that.”).
Dave married Charli (Carol Thornock Frew) in 1991 and celebrated their 30th anniversary last October. Together, they embarked on many adventures and challenged each other to be their best selves. The last few years he and Charli were able to spend wonderful summers on a beautiful little lake in Michigan and on a peaceful river in Tennessee.
Above all, Dave was a family man. He was the rock and an overflowing source of joy, love, wisdom, and comfort to his family who will always treasure fond memories of time spent together: roaring family barbecues, travel and adventure, trying new foods, first rollercoaster rides, and so much laughter. Dave shared his love of life, joyousness, generosity, and adventurous spirit with his loved ones and will live on forever as they carry on those qualities in themselves and in turn share them with others.
Dave is survived by his wife of 30 years, Charli Carter, brother Larry Carter (Larry's wife Annette and children Kim and Dana), sister Lori Carter Snyder (Lori's children Bryan and Kelly), daughter Ronni Council Alphonso (Ronni's husband Brian), son Jeremy Frew (Jeremy's wife Marty), his grandchildren Devan Gallagher (Devan's husband Keith), Riley Council, Aarron Council, Adan Council, Ethan Frew, and Abbey Frew, his great-grandchildren Aarron Council Jr., Daniel Council, and Nathan Council, dozens of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family plus his many rescue dogs.
In typical fashion, Dave wanted to be remembered as he lived and asked for a celebration of life (details to come). In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation in Dave’s honor.
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