St. George, Utah - On a beautiful Mothers Day in May 1919, Howard Hunt Carter was born of goodly parents, Ralph Thomas Carter and Adrell Hunt Carter, as the only boy in his family, which also contained five sisters. Howard grew up in Sandtown, at the corner of 300 West and 300 North, and went through the typical pranks and living experiences common to that era and played with the Fullertons, the Ridings and with Robert E. "Bob" Cox, his best friend.

Dad knew how to work and work he did, hauling freight and wood with his father, who earned his living in what today we may call "menial" pursuits, but the nature of hard physical work made an impression on young Howard. Sandtown in his childhood consisted of drawing water out of the ditch from West city springs, which served both as a culinary and livestock water source, depending on the time of the day.

As dad ended his teenage years, he expressed a desire to serve a mission, and with the help of family, friends and concerned ecclesiastical leaders, was called to the Northern States Mission, where he served from 1939 to 1941, serving much of his mission in Southern Canada in a climate uncommon to Elder Carter.

Returning from his mission, he met and married Fern Chadburn, after a brief courtship. Together they would have celebrated their 70 ^th wedding anniversary on March 21, 2012. That celebration will still occur with the family, absent dad, who has accepted another "mission call" in a different sphere, where he can continue to serve and grow.

The war years separated Howard and Fern for portions of the three years following as dad served in the Pacific Theater, after the typical boot camp and training which occurred stateside. Before dad left to go overseas, their first child, Lloyd Chadburn Carter was born in Clarksville, Tennessee.

When the war ended, dad returned to Dixie, having been honorably discharged. He then learned the land title business from Orval Hafen, a licensed land title abstracter, and eventually left Hafen and Nelsons employment to begin his own title business in 1949, named Carter Abstract Company, which was the forerunner of Southern Utah Title Company.

As an additional six children were added to the Carter clan, Howard and Fern established a homesite on 300 West, in an area where nearly all his Carter siblings also established homes.

Growing up in the Carter family meant a lot of time spent with grandparents and cousins, as well as working hard. Eventually each of the children fulfilled a role at Southern Utah Title Company, beginning with janitor and ending up in some loftier spot. All the Carter children learned to work hard from their mother, who unmercifully worked them to a point they begged to be transferred to the office to work for Howard.

Howard retired from the title business and he and Fern then served two missions: one to the Rapid City, South Dakota area from 1981 to 1983 and another to the Los Angeles Temple Visitors Center during 1985 to 1986. Dad learned the discussions presented in the Temple Visitors Center in Spanish and could teach them as well in that language as his native tongue. Many hearts were touched by he and Ferns testimonies as they labored long and hard together.

Returning from their second mission, dad spent time at Sun Capital Bank, where he served on their board for a dozen years. In all dads business interest and dealings, he was known as a pragmatist who could be trusted with anything. A similar reputation followed him in church assignments as he served in bishoprics, on high councils and as the ward clerk for several bishops. During the past few years, as dads health deteriorated he accepted his problems with class and vigor. Within the past week he has been seen pushing his walker up and down Valley View Drive, stopping every 100 feet to sit and rest, or visit with neighbors.

Something should be said of dads love for Pine Valley, where he spent part of summers since 1968 with Fern and with family members, whom they entertained. Any ward he lived in was served well by dads quiet, unassuming manner and his willingness to open up his Pine Valley home for a summer social. He could always be counted on. He was a master gardener, a musician, a problem solver, enjoyed collecting coins and was involved in managing his E-trade stock accounts up to a month ago.

He passed away January 8, 2012 at 6:20 p.m. at the hospital. His death marks the passing of a true pioneer, a heritage he felt, being a great-grandson of William Carter, the father of modern irrigation, who was known as the "Utah Plowman".

Howard outlived all his siblings: Beatrice Lamoreaux and Bernice Larson (twins), Irene Allred, Marie Mangum and Barbara Avery. He is survived by his seven children: Lloyd Chadburn Carter (Janet), Wenn Folkerson (Darrel- deceased), Howard Allan Carter (Kristine), Steven Reese Carter (Joyce), SuAnn Cannon, Thomas Brent Carter (Jerry Parkstone), Janet Carter Mason (Eric Huntley) and Norman James (Rhonda); as well as dozens of grandchildren and of course, his loving and caring wife, who has devoted her entire life to caring for Howard, particularly during the past few years.

Funeral services will be held Friday, January 13, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Sunset LDS Stake Center, 100 North Dixie Drive, St. George, Utah. Visitations will be Thursday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd. and on Friday, prior to services, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Stake Center. Interment will be at the St. George City Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Metcalf Mortuary (435) 673-4221.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making donations to their ward missionary fund.