Ray Stafford Carter

In Loving Memory of

Ray Stafford Carter

Ray Stafford Carter, Jr., 80 of Pearisburg, VA, passed away Saturday, August 20, 2011 in Pearisburg after a lengthy illness Born in Ararat, VA., August 27, 1930, he was the son of Eva Gates Carter and Ray Stafford Carter, Sr. Ray graduated from Radford High School in 1947 and attended the College of William and Mary and later Milligan College in Tennessee. His sense of adventure and love for country outweighed academic ambitions and he entered the United States Air Force in 1950. During his 22 year career in the USAF, Ray served as a pilot during conflict and peacetime including the Korean War, The Cold War, and the Vietnam War. His service took him and his family all over the world including an assignment with the National Air Command in Washington, D.C., during the Johnson Administration. In recognition of his military service, the USAF awarded him the Distinguished Flying Cross. Ray rose to the rank of Lt. Colonel and retired from the USAF in 1972. He settled in Pearisburg and studied electronics at New River Community College, became a flight instructor in Bluefield, VA., and finally a private pilot for W & H Contracting Company and Asphalt industries in Bluefield. He was a member of the Pearisburg Presbyterian Church. As an avid golfer, Ray was a long-time member of the Giles Country Club. He is survived by his wife, Judy Johnston Carter, formerly of Bluefield, VA., on son, Ken Carter and daughter-in-law Barbara of Laurens, SC, a daughter, Audrey Carter and son-in-law James Texeira of Greer, SC, a sister, Ann Carter of Charlotte, NC, a grandson, Shawn Carter and Indiatlantic, FL, and wife Bree Carter, a granddaughter, Tara McKinstry of Raleigh, NC, and husband Douglas, great grandchildren, Violet Banan and Donegan,, a brother-in-law, Buddy Johnston of Radford and Janet Johnston, a niece, Christy Jensen of Williamsburg and Skip Jensen, a nephew, Scott Johnston of Alexandria, life-long friends, Bob and Bronte Foster of Radford, and his “girls,” Little Bit and Misty. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, at 2 p.m. at Pearisburg Presbyterian Church. The family will receive visitors at 1 p.m. at the church. A reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the New River Valley Red Cross at 616-A, Radford, VA 24141, or the Pearisburg Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund. Givens Funeral Home in Pearisburg, VA, is serving the family.