Merle D. Carter
August 7, 1925 ~ November 27, 2015
Merle D. Carter was born on August 7, 1925 in Wichita, Kansas to William Merton and Ruth Charlotte (Klingenberg) Carter. Merle spent his childhood in Sun City and Garden City, Kansas, and on his uncle’s ranch in the red hills of Oklahoma. Merle was the second of five children; Merton DeWayne, Merle Deloyce, Bobby Gene, William Coy and their baby sister Wanda Kay (Carter) Koch.
Merle was active in sports in high school in Garden City playing football, basketball, and track. Merle didn’t graduate from high school but rather joined the Army and served his country as a medic in the pacific theater during WWII. He received a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart among other awards.
While he was away at war his family moved from Kansas to Colorado and made it their new home. Upon returning to the US and receiving his honorable discharge Merle helped his dad and brothers build their mom her new home. He then joined his Uncle Roy Hoss and Aunt Esther in a ranching venture in Black Forest. Merle then went on to get his carpenter apprenticeship and worked for Alexander Construction Company. It was during this time that Merle met the love of his life, a sweet young thing from Miller South Dakota, Hanna, who traveled to Colorado Springs with a friend for an adventure.
Merle and Hanna were married on November 13, 1949 in the chapel at the First Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs and celebrated 56 very happy years together.
Merle was a wonderful husband and father working hard to provide for his family including extended periods away from his family working on the construction of the Dillon reservoir. He later worked for and retired from the city of Colorado Springs, working in the carpentry and gas departments.
Merle and Hanna were blessed with three children; Sandra “Sandy” Kitts, Michael “Mike” Carter, and DeAnn “DeeDee” Lund. Merle loved the outdoors and working with his hands. He was a master carpenter and could build or repair anything. His favorite pastime by far was spending time with his wife, kids, grandkids and great grandkids. They were the apple of his eye and their presence gave him great pleasure and always brought a smile to his face and a twinkle to his eye.
After his retirement from the city he and Hanna became “snowbirds” spending their winters in Apache Junction, Arizona and traveling the country during the summer. In later years, Merle took care of Hanna as she battled Parkinson’s and after her death he went to Texas to stay with his daughter DeAnn and her family. While in Texas Merle made several friends and was adopted as “Dad” and “Pawpaw” by several people. During his stay at Legend Oaks Healthcare and Rehabilitation, he was the favorite of all the nurses and aides, many coming in to get their daily hug and smile.
Merle is preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife Hanna, and his brothers Merton Carter, Bobby Carter and sister Wanda Koch, son-in-law Ron Kitts, and great-grandson Austin Michael Scott. Merle is survived by his younger brother Bill and wife Nancy of Canon City, Colorado, cousin Gwendolyn and husband Bill Roepka of Kansas, cousin Maxine Johnson of Kansas, daughter Sandy Kitts of Tiltonsville, Ohio, son Michael Carter of Colorado Springs, and daughter DeAnn and husband John Lund of Waxahachie, Texas. Grandchildren Desiree and husband Robert Allen of Colorado Springs, Phillip and wife Becky Kitts of Montgomery, Indiana, Amanda and husband Jay Scott of Tiltonsville, Ohio, Katie Carter and Merle Robert Carter of Colorado Springs, and Annette Lund of Waxahachie, Texas, great-grandchildren Heather, Laura and Emily Allen, Cody Kitts, Haley and Ryan Scott, many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and many friends.
Merle never met a stranger and he brightened the day of everyone he met. His bright smile, twinkling eyes and happy “Hi there” will be dearly missed by so many. He was always ready to help even when he was no longer physically able to. His stories and antics cheered up even the sourest of attitudes. Each life he touched was changed forever. We do take comfort in the many memories we have of him and that we will see him again in heaven.
Visitation, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Shrine of Remembrance Funeral Home, 1730 E. Fountain Blvd. Funeral service, 10 a.m. Saturday, Shrine of Remembrance “America the Beautiful” Chapel, 1730 E. Fountain Blvd. Interment, Memorial Gardens Cemetery.