Dennis Alan Carter
Obituary
Dennis was born and lived the first two weeks of his life in Holdenville, OK but lived most of his life in California. He was the middle child of Homer Richmond and Rosa Lee Carter and was raised with his four siblings in Watsonville. He graduated from Watsonville High School in 1966, was drafted in 1968, and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant in January 1970 after serving in Vietnam during the midst of that horrible war. He sought solace in backpacking throughout North and South America, attended Cabrillo and UCSC, was a voracious reader, and greatly appreciated the smoothness of a good, aged, bourbon. Dennis reconciled his faith in God and was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in 1987. His primary occupation was that of a carpenter and he was employed by the Pajaro Valley Unified School District for the longest period of his life. He also served as President of Chapter 132 of CSEA representing classified employees around the turn of the century.
He was married for the past 20 years to his wife Carlene and they enjoyed mutual friendships, family, a loving faith community, the love of nature and travel throughout those years until his 7-year battle with cancer was finally lost at home in the arms of his wife with the support of family, true friends, Puppy and Hospice.
Dennis was preceded in death by his father Homer Richmond Carter during his service in Vietnam, his step father Fred Wendt in 2005, his mother Rosa Lee Wendt in 2006, his mother in law Dollie, all of his aunts and uncles, and his step son Seth. He is survived by his wife Carlene, his siblings Charles (Helen), Marilyn, Stephanie (Steve), and David, his step siblings Carolyn, Gretchen, and Alan, step daughter Jessica, his sister in law Mary Elin (Bill), along with nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends too numerous to list.
Ave Maria Memorial Chapel in Watsonville has been entrusted with arrangements and a private burial is scheduled at Pajaro Valley Memorial Park. Further memorial arrangements have not yet been finalized. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Central Coast or to your favorite charity.
Published in The Pajaronian · January 17, 2024