Richard Leland Carter, 47, a life-long resident of Elizabethton, Tenn., passed in peace at home after a courageous battle with cancer on March 12, 2020.
Richard was born on May 21, 1972 in Elizabethton, Tenn., to Linda and Richard Carter. Richard graduated from Elizabethton High School in 1992. Richard was employed by Lead Power for 17 years. Richard was happily married to Holly Rambo Carter, who was his partner in life for 24 years at the time of his death.
Richard is survived by his wife, Holly Marie Rambo Carter, and their two children, Ryne Austin Carter and Devon James Carter; mother and step-father, Linda Bare Odom and Eddie Odom; two sisters, Cindy Thompson and Patricia Carter; mother-in-law, Shirley Ann McQueen Rambo; as well as several special nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his father, Richard Carter; sister, Sybil “Deann” Hughes; maternal grandparents, Ruby and Johnny Bare; and loyal companion and man’s best friend, Starsky.
Besides spending time with his family and friends, Richard had a passion for baseball. Richard enjoyed 17 years in youth baseball. He served two years as baseball commissioner for the Elizabethton/Carter County Youth Baseball and Softball Association. Richard coached both his sons and from that he grew a desire to pass onto kids what he had learned about the game over the years. He was a huge Chicago Cubs fan and the highlight of 2016 was the Cubs winning the World Series title; Richard had waited for that to occur for many years. Richard was such a fan that his oldest son, Ryne, was named after Ryne Sandberg, second baseman for the Cubs. Richard was a spiritual man. He was a member of East River Park Christian Church. One of Richard’s favorite passages that he referenced often was 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 21, at East River Park Christian Church, 1207 Broad Street, Elizabethton, Tenn. The family will receive friends prior to the service from noon until 2 p.m. at the church. Graveside services will immediately follow the service at Emmert Cemetery. The family would like to express our thanks for the wonderful help and care given by Amedisys Hospice. Should friends desire, contributions may be sent to Elizabethton/Carter County Youth Baseball and Softball Association, eccybsa1@gmail.com or contact David Nanney at 423-547-6440. Pallbearers for the service: Danny Odom, Shawn Earnest, Curtis Birdsong, Rick Russell, Ricky Sutphin, Jeff Hardin, Dwight Shaffer and Steve Slagle. Honorary pallbearers are the present and past coaches associated with the Elizabethton/Carter County Baseball Association, formerly the Elizabethton National League. Condolences may be sent to the family at our website at www.memorialfcelizabthton.com.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Carter family.