Kenneth Eldon “Ken” Carter, 72, of Barnhart died July 15, 2020. Mr. Carter was born March 26, 1949, in Blytheville, Ark., the son of the late Eldon and Florie Carter. He attended Bragg City School and graduated from Kennett High School in 1967, then went to work at B&H Contracting in Kennett. After attaining mechanical and electrical certifications, he moved to St. Louis to work as a diesel mechanic at Brockway in Valley Park for 10 years, then retired after serving 25 years at N.B. West Contracting. He enjoyed salvaging and reselling old windows and doors, building furniture and license plate birdhouses and raising koi/goldfish and pond plants. He was a member of the YMCA and a former member of the Cloverleafs square dance club.
He is survived by his wife: Debra Ann (Williams) Carter; two daughters: Melissa Gale (Eddie) Myers and Kimberly Dawn Carter, both of whose mother is his first wife, Minnie Tomlinson; three grandchildren: Meghan (Steven Dalton), Tyler and Autumn; three great-grandchildren: Louis, Zoey and Daniel; a brother: Thomas Edward (Carolyn) Carter; a sister: Jerriel Fay Carter-Varner; a brother-in-law: Howard (Bud) Vanskike; and many other family members.
He was preceded in death by a sister: Derriel Gray Carter-Vanskike, who died May 1.
Kenneth cherished time with family, close friends and he never knew a stranger. Ken touched so many lives in so many ways. He selflessly gifted his knowledge, skills and labor without hesitation. In lieu of flowers, Ken hopes you will offer a spontaneous act of kindness to an unfortunate soul in his honor.
A graveside service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Shepherd Hills Cemetery in Barnhart, officiated by Dr. Aaron Cornman. At this time, services are limited to 10 family members; all others must remain inside vehicles. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus.