Manuel "Leo" Geroan Carter

Manuel, who went by Leo, answered to many different names throughout his lifetime. Sonny, Husband, Sailor, Dad, Yum Yum the clown, and Salesman of the Year are just a few we will touch on.

Leo was born in Las Vegas to his parents Thomas and Evelyn Carter. He was the first of 3 children. He went by the name “Sonny” in his younger years. His father had served in the military and after he was born his family relocated to Oklahoma where many of his family members lived. He came from humble beginnings. He told stories of his struggles when young, and how he and his brother would manage to get meals at times. Hanging out at the local pool and grabbing leftover food that people were tossing away. It had built a fire inside him that would later ensure he would never be that way when he was older.

He was a little bit of a trouble maker, and told many stories of his wild ways to his kids. One of them was a memory of him at 8 years old in class. The girl in front of him with the longest ponytail would always be sassy to him and she would flip her pony tail in his face. One day he decided to get scissors and slowly cut off her ponytail. When the entire pony tail fell off, the girl turned around and stabbed him in the hand with her pencil. The lead in the palm of his hand always visible, reminded him not to mess with girls! Leo eventually graduated highschool at Capitol Hill.

Trouble maker “Sonny” was too much for his parents, so with that his dad said you are going to the Navy. Leo signed up. He learned responsibility and respect. He moved up in the ranks quickly. He was apart of the Sea Bees in the Navy. He travelled the world and also had time on several aircraft carriers. The USS Washington and Kitty Hawk are the ships he talked about the most. Served with his friend David Higgins who he still texted until his passing. He was stationed in Australia, Vietnam, Germany and many bases in the US. One location was in Diego Garcia. He was in the administration team that helped build an airport landing strip there. He became a Chief Petty Officer and retired from the Navy after 20 faithful years of service. He was also a disabled veteran after being exposed to agent orange and courageously battled Chronic Leukemia Lymphoma which ended up taking his life. He was always proud of his country and service.

Before his retirement, he was stationed in Hawaii where his life would change forever. He met the love of his life Yolanda Maria Rivera. One of his buddies asked if he could borrow his car for a blind date. Of course Leo was very protective of his car he worked so hard for and didn’t want to just loan it out. The gentlemen asked if he wanted to be his wingman and meet the sister of the woman he would be going out with. Leo walked into the apartment where he saw Yolanda. He said he never saw a woman as beautiful as her in his life. He knew he would be with her forever. Yolanda was hard to impress and wanted to always be a nun, but when she saw him, she said she saw stars around him. She took it as a sign from God. They got married, moved to Oklahoma and were married for 50 years. Their relationship had its ups and downs and they managed to stay committed. One thing for sure is that Leo took care of his wife until the end while she battled Alzheimer’s.

Once Leo retired from the Navy, he became a manager at a distributing company for several years and then later became a car salesman for the last 20 years of his career. He was known as the last of the real deal car salesman. He found the perfect career. The first month becoming salesman of the month every month and salesman of the year every year. He worked 10-12 hour days 6 days a week. He was dedicated to not only provide for his family but in a way he used his job as a way to talk to others about the Lord. The amount of letters he received from customers all around the state and country, always had great things to say about him. He saved all the letters. He always took care of his customers and still was in contact with many after retirement.

Leo was also known as YUM YUM a Shriner Clown. Leo had heard about how the Shriners had helped so many kids and that’s why he joined. He would run into people and see a kid with a cleft palate, or leg disability for an example, and would immediately get on the phone and get them sent to the Shriner Hospital where all of their care was paid for. He was a Shriner for 50 years and was a part of parades, the state fair, and the circus to raise money to help kids.

Leo was an avid Harley Davidson motorcycle rider later in life that he enjoyed into retirement. To feel the wind in his lack of hair was something he always enjoyed, with his wife sharing in this hobby with him, they would also bring their Yorkie, Buddy, along too.

Leo also had the role of Dad and Grandpa. Leo took his kids fishing a lot. He was always teaching them how to do things like change the oil, and lifelong skills they will always use. He wanted to make sure they didn’t have to rely on others. He gave them a farm life with cows and horses on 10 acres and had many fun memories. If you had brought up any of his kids, he would show you all their pictures covering his office walls. He would get so excited bragging about them, and show up to games to embarrass them. Leo would be known to watch Kim in the marching band, Kristi and Jennifer cheerleading and Diron in basketball. He would be the loudest ones cheering them on in stands-standing up yelling “that’s my boy” or “that’s my girl”. He bursted with pride seeing his kids successful. He only wanted the best for them and truly loved them all. His kids would say he was a toughy, not super affectionate but was special when he was. His advice wasn’t too deep but would always end up with “pull up your boot straps and let’s get it on!”-Meaning to move on with what’s troubling you and overcome. In the last year of his life without his wife, his kids were blessed to able to see a different side of their Dad. Since he always took care of himself, he had a tough time learning to let his kids take care of him. His last year was a gift. They had many conversations that needed to be had and he even became more affectionate by always telling them how much he loved them and giving them kisses. His face would beam when any of his children or grandkids visited. Leo had 6 grandkids and already 2 great grandkids. He will be missed and there is great comfort knowing that even though he wasn’t perfect by no means he gave his life to the Lord. His family has great peace knowing he is restored in heaven with Jesus and his wife, awaiting for the day they are all reunited.

He is preceded in death by; Parents, Thomas & Evelyn Carter; Sister, Carolyn Carter; Brother, Johnny Carter; and Wife, Yolanda Carter.

He was survived by; Children, Kimberly Carter, Jennifer (Chad) Johnson, Diron (Ali) Carter, Kristi Carter; Grandchildren, Alexis (William) Clark, Austin Peña, Jake Johnson, Miles Johnson, Ellis Johnson, Diron Carter; Great-Grandchildren, Carter Reynolds & Stassi Clark.

A visitation for Manuel "Leo" will be held Thursday, November 30, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 13313 North Kelley, Oklahoma City, OK 73131.

A funeral service will occur Friday, December 1, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Manuel "Leo" will be laid to rest in Jamison Cemetery, CO Road 50, Harrah, Oklahoma.