Obituary of Oliver Clifton Carter

A loving husband and father, devout Catholic, life-long scholar, proud military serviceman, brother, uncle, and friend, Lt. Col. Oliver C. Carter was born on April 20, 1942, in Chicago, IL and grew up in Jackson, Mississippi.

In 1963, following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Oliver enlisted in the United States Air Force.  He was assigned to the USAF Security Forces and served in Vietnam. He was selected for commissioning under the Air Force Deserving Airman’s Program and remained on active duty until 1967.  He continued service in the USAF Reserve Forces until his retirement as a Lieutenant Colonel thirty-eight years later, having received numerous awards, commendations, and full officer’s honors.

Following his active duty, in 1972, he earned a bachelor’s degree from nearby George’s Williams College and later completed the Air Force Squadron Officers School (1979), Air Command and Staff College (1986), Air War College (1997), and obtained a Masters of Art degree from American Military University (1999).   He simultaneously completed a career with the United States Postal Service which included service as the Postmaster in Naperville, IL (1978 - 1988) and Manager for Customer Interface at Postal Service Headquarters in Washington, D.C., (1992-1999).

During his 34 year postal career, Oliver was instrumental in the issuance of four notable commemorative stamps: the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ landing in Puerto Rico, the Hanukkah stamp, the Kwanzaa stamp, and one in tribute to Benjamin O. Davis, Sr., the first African-American general officer in the United States armed forces, and father of General Benjamin O. Davis Jr., Commander of the famed Tuskegee Airmen.

Even in retirement Oliver continued to serve in multiple organizations including most notably, the East Coast Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated in which he served as President from 2003-2004. Selfless in service, Oliver contributed to many other organizations firmly believing in serving God, his country, his family, and his heritage.

In 1993, Oliver met Wanda while working on a joint project in Washington, D.C. They fell in love and married in 1995 and settled into a home in Bowie, Maryland.  In 2009 they moved to Falcons Landing, the Air Force Retired Officers Community in Loudoun County Virginia.

In June 2018, Oliver was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and began treatment that would last through the early fall. On the morning of Saturday, September 22, 2018, Oliver peacefully passed away with his wife by his side while praying the rosary.

He is survived by his loving wife Wanda, their five children and their spouses, grandchildren, brother, sisters, nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.

A Memorial Mass will be offered at Falcons Landing, at 2:00 p.m., on October 15, 2018.  Burial will be at Arlington Cemetery on January 23, 2019 at 1:00 PM.  If you would like to join us on either occasion, we would be honored to have you with us.  If so, would you please reach out to Manuel Nunez at mfnunez828@gmail.com so that we can make appropriate arrangements for all who are expected.

IN LIEU OF FLOWERS
We ask that you keep us in your thoughts and prayers. In lieu of flowers our family would appreciate if you will consider a donation, in Oliver’s memory, to the East Coast Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.  Oliver was a proud member and, for a time, was the president of the East Coast Chapter. Donations are received online at the chapter’s website at www.ECCTAI.org by clicking on the “donate” button on the upper-left hand corner.  In the “comments” section, please indicate that your donation honors the memory of Oliver C. Carter.

Burial Service

The burial service for Lt. Col. Oliver C. Carter will be held in Arlington National Cemetery on January 23, 2019 at 1:00pm. Those who are interested in attending should contact Manuel Nunez at mfnunez828@gmail.com to be added to the guest list.

Those who will be attending the burial service should expect to arrive at Arlington National Cemetery Administrative Building at 12:15pm the day of the service. Guests will need to check-in at the front desk and will need to have a pre-arranged seat in a vehicle for the procession to the graveside. Staff at Arlington National Cemetery will guide guests and vehicles through the ceremony. From time of arrival at the cemetery until the completion of the graveside service is expected to last about an hour. Please dress for the weather as the service will proceed regardless of weather conditions.

If you would like to attend and need a space in a vehicle for the ceremony please also notify Manuel Nunez via email. We will help you find a space to attend the service.

We have been informed that it is important for us to leave promptly after the graveside ceremony.  The representative of the Adams-Green Funeral Home will remain on site until the casket is lowered and the burial is completed.

Please stay tuned to this page or reach out to Manuel Nunez at mfnunez828@gmail.com to learn more details.

We will miss him very much and as we heal together, we encourage you to share your memories, thoughts, and wishes with our family through this page or by reaching out to us in another way. Our family thanks you in advance for your love, support, and prayers.