Charles Walter Carter

Charles Walter Carter, 93, of Littleton, Colorado, passed away August 13, 2023. Charles was born October 23, 1929, in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania to Fred and Nellie Sue Dawson Carter.

He was a graduate of Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, and a member of the National Honor Society. He was a student at Weber State College in Ogden, Utah, majoring in electronics and industrial arts.

He married Patsy Rae Sherwood October 3, 1953.

Charles served in the U.S. Air Force as part of the Air Police and as a draftsman from 1950-1959. Then from 1955-1959 he worked at the Bureau of Reclamation in Ogden, Utah. His duties were as a draftsman involving road building, dams and reservoirs on government land in Utah. Significant contributions include the building of a 6-mile-long dike near Brigham City to catch water from Willard Bay. The result was 36 square miles of pure, fresh water that could be pumped to Salt Lake City instead of draining into the Great Salt Lake. Another project involved raising a dam 30 feet at the Pine View Reservoir in Utah to provide irrigation water. This involved survey duties.

In 1959, Charles began working for the Federal Government at Hill Air Force Base where his primary duty was Electronic Equipment Specialist which involved calibrating equipment for jet fighter planes. He worked on the Minute Man Missile Program. He suggested an equipment change that ultimately saved the government $3 million. This contribution resulted in him receiving a Civil Service Award. Charles retired after 25 years of government service, from 1955-1976.

After retirement, he was self-employed as a consultant and arbitrator.

From 1974-1990 Charles was AFGE (American Federation of Government Employees), AFL-CIO National Vice President of District 13 service 81 AFGE Locals. He was representative for 5 states (Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming) and serving 83,000 federal employees under contract. He retired from AFGE/AFL-CIO in 1990 after 16 years.

From 1990-1992, Charles was active with NARFE (National Active and Retired Federal Employees) Federation and Chapter 1085 as an officer. He then served as National President and CEO of NARFE from 1992-1994. Chapter 1085 was fortunate to have him as an active member sharing his wide and varied experiences.

Charles continued to serve federal employees/annuitants and Colorado senior citizens with his involvement with Colorado Senior Lobby. He considered his work on the passage of a bill for Mandatory Reporting for at-Risk Adults Abuse a personal achievement. This became law in Colorado on July 1, 2014, after 19 years of legislative lobbying.

Charles continued to be active in many groups, including AARP, NARFE, HUD Seniors High-Rise Living (settling seniors’ complaints). He volunteered at St. Anthony Hospital, with Senior Resource Center, and with the Colorado Boys and Girls Clubs. He was a member of the Democrat Party, running twice as a Candidate for Colorado State House District 22, and was a candidate for Jefferson County Sheriff. He was also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Charles was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Patsy Rae Sherwood Carter in 2012. He was also preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Harold B. and William L. Carter; and daughter-in-law, Virginia Carter.

He is survived by his children, Charles Carter Jr., Jeffrey Carter, Daniel Carter, Philip Carter and Jana (Danny) Knox; eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

A Funeral service will be at 11am, with a viewing beginning at 10am, on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at Horan & McConaty, 3101 S Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, CO 80227.

Military Honors will be rendered at 1:00pm, at Fort Logan National Cemetery, 3698 South Sheridan Blvd., Denver, Colorado. Please gather at Staging area ‘C’ by 12:45pm.