Jarvis Cobb Carter

Chief Master Sergeant (Ret.) Jarvis "Jay" Cobb Carter Chief Master Sergeant (Ret) Jarvis "Jay" Cobb Carter, of Abilene, died Sunday, November 2, 2008 after a brief illness. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 5 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. A private burial for family is planned for 11:00 a.m. Thursday, November 6. A memorial service will be held at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1741 Sayles Blvd., at 1:00 p.m. Thursday November 6, 2008 with Rev. Derrell Patterson officiating. Jay was born April 19, 1933 to Thomas Frank Carter and Susie Birdie Shedd Carter in their home in Athens, Georgia. Jay grew up and went to school in Athens. After high school he joined the Air Force and enjoyed assignments in San Antonio, Texas, New York, Japan, Massachusetts, Illinois, Oklahoma, Ohio, Washington DC, Turkey and RAF Mildenhall England. While at Wright Patterson AFB in Ohio, he met and married Loretta Hedberg Carter on April 15, 1961. Two of three daughters, Jean Anne and Janis were born there. A third daughter, Kelley, was born in Orlando, Florida while stationed at McCoy AFB. Jay's final assignment was Dyess AFB where he retired after a career of 29 years, 8 months and 6 days. Jay's military career afforded the family many exciting, educational, humbling and often humorous experiences. From the thrill of driving between Turkey and England, to, sometimes by trial and error, learning of other cultures, to meeting wonderful friends along the way, together Jay and his family enjoyed a full life. After retirement he attended McMurry University and received a Bachelor's Degree in Computers in 1991. A third career began as he studied and received a license to sell insurance. Jay was an avid lover of music! Jay loved woodworking! But most of all, Jay loved to laugh and be with his friends and family! He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Eula Maude Carrithers. Jay is survived by his wife, Loretta Hedberg Carter, of Abilene; three daughters, Jean Hawkins and husband Tim, of Palmdale, California, Janis Carter Arnett and husband Randy, of Georgetown, Texas, and Kelley Carter, of Knoxville, Tennessee; three brothers, Dr. Robert Carter and wife Mona, David Carter and Ralph Carter; one sister, Fannie Pruitt; six grandchildren, Jennifer Hawkins, Ryan Hawkins, Kristen Hawkins, Sean Powell, JP Powell and Aidan Arnett, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Methodist Food Pantry at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 1741 Sayles Blvd., Abilene, Texas 79605; or to the donor's charity of choice.