Friends will gather at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 29, 2023, at the Old Post Office in West Plains to celebrate the life of Scott Carter who died unexpectedly Friday night, June 23.
A genuine proud Zizzer member (and student body president) of the amazing Class of 1980, Scott was a kind and loving member of an historic family. But, even more, by his life and standards he lifted up the community and those around him.
Curtis Scott Carter valued and practiced scholarship, graduating magna cum laude from William Jewell University in 1984. He was a proud member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. In 1983, while a junior at William Jewell, he was honored to be selected a student scholar to study at Oxford University in England. He remained socially active in campus affairs, particularly in the arts of which he was a patron. He was also president of the fraternity alumni board. Vanderbilt University granted Scott a juris doctor in law and an MBA in 1988.
During his legal training he was chosen to clerk for the Missouri Appellate Court system. Internships were had with the West Plains Bank and the Garrett and Ray law firm. Enrolled in the Missouri Bar in 1988, he practiced in Kansas City until health issues prompted return to his home and family in Thayer and West Plains where he had always maintained and nourished his roots.
While living in Thayer, he participated in the family funeral home business and was a licensed funeral director.
Scott always tried to add more than he took away, maintaining a vigor for public service. As a member of Clifton Lodge he was a proud Mason, Rotarian (president), the faith community and general volunteerism. Scott never was unkind, coarse, impatient or less than adoring to his family and friends.
He is survived by his mother Saundra Dodge Carter and Leonard Johnson, Springfield, Mo.; his brother Dr. A. Brent Carter and Laura Johnson of Birmingham, Ala.; nephew Aaron J. Carter, Chicago, Ill.; nieces Anna Caroline Carter, Iowa City, Iowa, and Hallie Dodge Horne, West Plains; brother-in-law Vaune Horne, West Plains; and aunt Nancy Dodge Caplinger, Springfield. Also surviving are several cousins. Extended family include Julianne Johnson, Washington, D.C., and Kurt Johnson, San Antonio, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his father Larry L. Carter and his sister Robin Carter-Horne.
Masonic Rites and the inurnment will be at 2:30 p.m. June 29 at 2:30 at Oaklawn Cemetery after the celebration of Scott’s life.
