Wright Ltc Carter

Wright Carter was born May 17, 1918 in Cleveland, Texas, and died October 28, 2006 in San Antonio, Texas. He is predeceased by his first wife Berta Duncan Carter, and wife of fifty-two years, Vanda Therese Lamborghini Carter, father Virgil Willis Carter, mother Dora Wright Carter, and sister Edith Helen Kirkham.

He is survived by his daughter Nancy Ford and husband Robert Todd Ford Jr. of Freer, Texas; daughter Susan Lamborghini and husband Bill Molthen of Austin, Texas; son Robert Keith Carter of San Antonio, Texas; grandson Robert Todd Ford III and wife Zondra Ford of Keller, Texas; grandson Dustin Roy Ford and wife Ivy Ford of Hong Kong, China; granddaughter Amy Christine Payne and husband Ryan Payne of Frisco, Texas; sister Mary Alice Ray of Keithville, Louisiana; sister Edna Sue Gassiott of Cleveland, Texas; brother Robert Aubrey Carter and wife Jean Carter of Cleveland, Texas; brother Keith Clark Carter and wife Ghita Carter of Georgetown, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Wright served in the United States Air Force for thirty years. He was a test pilot and flight instructor in World War II, and flew humanitarian missions after the war. During the Korean War, he flew crew and materiel transport missions. An exceptional aviator, he was the private pilot for General Lawrence S. Kuter, first Commander of NORAD, and also flew many dignitaries and politicians including then Vice President Richard Nixon.

Recognized for his diplomatic skills, Wright attended the Air Command and Staff College and was appointed Assistant Air Attaché to the United States Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, where he earned The Most Nobel Order of the Royal Crown of the Thailand Commander, awarded by the King of Thailand. While there, he also organized the official state visit of President Lyndon Baines Johnson to Bangkok in 1966. Wright's last tours included serving in Viet Nam as a reconnaissance pilot and heading the United States Civil Air Patrol before he retired from the Air Force with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1973.

Wright loved attending all types of sporting events and watching his grandchildren compete. He especially enjoyed the football games coached by his son-in-law Bobby and grandson Todd, attending games every week throughout the years. He was an avid golfer with a one-time scratch handicap! who enjoyed playing great courses all over the world.

Wright was also a marvelous dancer and big fan of music - from classical to jazz to country. He enjoyed attending concerts and counted as friends a good number of the performers. Very proud of his Texan heritage, he was an avid student of Texas history, including his own five-generation Texan genealogy. Wright was a gregarious and sociable person who loved telling jokes, flirting with pretty ladies, playing cards with his friends, and beating his family at dominoes.

We will all miss the twinkle in his eye.