Obituary: Jerry Dean Carter - Class of 1955

MADISON - Jerry Dean Carter, age 68, died of natural causes on Monday, May 9, 2005, at his home. He was born on May 4, 1937, the son of Erwin and Emma (Julson) Carter. Jerry was a lifetime Wisconsin resident and grew up in Madison. He graduated from Central High School in 1955, and earned a degree from Madison Business College. Jerry served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. He married the former Susan Ferris on July 28, 1962. Jerry was employed as an accountant for General Motors, Janesville, and then in sales at Thorstad Chevrolet, Madison, for 27 years. "Jer the Bear" was involved in many different activities during his lifetime including playing softball, coaching baseball, hockey and softball teams, golfing, a huge Badgers hockey and football fan, expert carpentry and woodworking, "dumpster diving" and loved to put on his famous garage sales. Jerry was very patriotic and was proud to serve his country. As a Civil War history buff, he was recently involved in the Gettysburg Preservation Trust. "The Bear" was a wonderful husband, proud father and grandfather "Papa." He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Susan; two children, Kristin (Dan) Carter Eschrich and Rick (Kelli) Carter, both of Chicago, Ill.; and four grandchildren, Connor, Regan, Kaitlyn and Cameron. He is further survived by many sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Gwen (Jerry) Splinter, Sally (Glenn) Kisch, Mary (Ron) Ruble, Tom (LeAnne) Ferris, Aileen Ferris and Connie Ferris Bailey; and numerous nieces and nephews. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Bill and Margaret Ferris; and brother-in-law, William H. Ferris Jr. Memorial services will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 12, 2005, at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, with the Rev. Cindy Bacon officiating. Friends may greet the family from 4 p.m. until the time of service on Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials may be made to the Friends of the National Parks at Gettysburg, 451 Baltimore Street, P.O. Box 4622, Gettysburg, PA 17325 or to the Madison Parks Division, P.O. Box 2987, Madison, WI 53701. He will be missed by his many family and friends and will miss his Thursday night "bonding" group. He loved to meet new people-everywhere he went he made new friends, there was no such thing as a "stranger." Cress Funeral & Cremation Service 3610 Speedway Road

Originallly published in the Wisconsin State Journal on May 12, 2005