Jack Marion Carter

Life HIstory:
Born in Bremerton, WA. May 12, 1941 to Mary Rossi and Melvin Hillman Carter. Siblings: Arlene Bruce, Dean Carter, Jeanne Moore.
Lived in Port Orchard for the majority of his life. Spent some years living and working in Portland, Oregon.
Graduated from South Kitsap High School in 1959.

Jack loved riding his motorcycle with his friends and family. He was an avid endurance bicyclist taking many long journeys through several states up and down the Pacific Northwest sometimes for months at a time. He shared his love of bicycle riding in his daughter Jill when he planned a 400 mile bike ride from Port Orchard to Lincoln City, Oregon when she was 15-years-old. He thoughtfully planned training rides to get her prepared to ride 40-60 miles per day. Meticulously purchased and planned out the lightweight camping gear they would each carry on their bikes. He thoughtfully planned the course down scenic highway 101.

He also had a very unique sense of humor. Jack never grew tired of teasing people he loved.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sister Jeanne and Brother-in-Law Bob Moore. Many summers, he would enjoy smelting in Shelton, WA with his mother Mary, Aunt Annie and Uncle Cecil Fellers, and would often bring his daughter Jill. Jack had a close relationship with his in-laws Ethyl and Jim Furlong, and enjoyed many years of friendship with them. He would often bring Jill for visits during her summer vacations and they would play cards, enjoy games of Yachtzee, watching the Seattle Supersonics on television, and discussing mechanical or welding projects with Jim who also worked in the Navy Yard.


Military Service:
Jack served in the Army Reserve from November 1963 to February 1964. He was an Advanced Infantry Instructor and taught classes ranging in size from 12 to 250 students. He shared funny stories about training basic trainees on the use of a 50 caliber rifle and other artillery.

Work History:
For seventeen years, 1960 thru 1977, Jack worked in the manufacture and repair of mechanical and electromechanical instruments. His training as a machinist gave him valuable knowledge for conserving both time and materials. He had extensive work experience and skill at planning work sequences for efficiency and economy. Quite frequently, he was called upon by shop personnel and tech-code personnel for estimates on methods and cost for repairing mechanical instruments.
1961 started as a Machinist Helper for Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, WA.
1961 -1966 Machine Operator for Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, WA.
1966-1968 Leadingman Machinist for R. Hoe and Co. in Portland, OR.
1968-1969 Machinist for Bingham-Willamette Pump Co. in Portland, OR.
1969 -1971 Machinist for Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, WA.
1971 - 1977 Instrument Mechanic for Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, WA.
Retired on Disability after being injured on the job. He suffered through two major back surgeries and several neck surgeries and lived in terrible pain from those injuries. He endured that pain but did not let it stop him from achieving amazing physically challenging bicycle rides and competitions. He participated in the Seattle to Vancouver ride, the Seattle to Portland, in one day, many times over several years. He also planned his own two month journey following Highway 101 down through Washington, Oregon, and California and looping back up through several states including Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana.

Special Training and Achievements:
1962 Machine Operator Training, Mathematics and Blueprint Reading
1965 Radiation Monitor Training
1970 Introduction to Quality Control
1974 Earned a Sustained Superior Performance Award for Outstanding Performance Rating as an Instrument Mechanic in the Mechanical Production Department for continued high quality workmanship.
1977 Earned an award for Beneficial Suggestion # 71508, "Printed Circuit Board Drying Racks" submitted jointly by Carter, Twining, and Pfeiffer.
1977 Earned an award for Beneficial Suggestion # 71507 entitled "Conformal Coating Dipping Tank" which was jointly suggested by Carter, Quiqley, Twinning, and Pfeiffer.
1978 Earned a Highly Qualified Rating for Instrument Mechanic Foreman

Skills and Hobbies:
Designed and built his own home in Port Orchard, WA.
Motorcycle racing and riding
Archery
Sharp Shooting
Darts
Hunting
Fishing
Auto Mechanics
Auto Body Repair
Backpacking
Bicycling
Photography
Member of Bremerton Cruisers Motorcycle Club, held an elected position in this club, worked on many committees, and planned, organized and participated in many competitive motorcycle events, designed and built their own race course, and sponsored safety inspections.
Member of Kitsap Bowhunter's Archery Club, held an elected position, was in charge of work assignments on the range, worked on many different shoot committees and laid out courses for them.

Memories from Jill:
I will always cherish the times we spent together on our 400 mile bike trip down the Oregon Coast. My father taught me that no matter what my body was saying my mind was stronger. He taught me that I could keep going just a little farther down that road, just a little longer to get to that next campsite, he encouraged me the whole way, he understood when I needed to rest, cared for me when I fell ill on the trip, gave me something to look forward to by marking my map with milestones, and kept me smiling with orange creamsicles, and cream sodas. Because of my dad, I was able to believe in myself and push myself to bike or run that next mile no matter how hard it was. He inspired both me and my husband to complete a half marathon in 2006 as well as the Seattle to Portland bike ride in that same year. I will always have him in my heart and feel confident because he believed in me.

When he worked on his cars or was busy fixing my car, he would always explain how things worked, or what I might need to know to fix something, or how to change my own tire. He taught me to be an independent woman. I learned how to think analytically and understand many mechanical things and how they worked.

He was a very bright man who never boasted or bragged. He loved people deeply and would do anything for his friends and family. He hardly ever asked for help almost to his detriment. My father just never wanted to impose on anyone. But those who loved him would do anything for him to repay all the many kindnesses he had bestowed upon them. I wish he would have let more people do more for him.

My dad also shared his love of photography with me and taught me how to use a camera. Bought me my first camera and we enjoyed capturing memories together. When he died I was on our boat up in Princess Louisa B.C. Canada completely out of cell phone range. I had been looking forward to sharing photos from a mountain hike I took with my husband. I thought of him when I reached the top of the very challenging hike where there is a beautiful waterfall. As I caught my breath and planned out my photo composition, I reflected on how he taught me the endurance it takes to accomplish difficult physical challenges. I recall feeling excited to tell him this when I got home and to share the beautiful shots I was trying to capture. But because we were so far north I had no way of knowing he had passed away the night before the hike. My husband and I had taken some of the ashes of our Black Lab on this hike to release them in the waterfall at the top. It was a very emotional day for us. That evening while everyone else was asleep I laid down on the deck of our boat under a completely black sky, unpolluted by light and I was brought to tears by its beauty. There were so many stars and as I lay there thinking about the emotional, beautiful, and challenging hike and the pain of letting go of our dear dog, Clark. I thought about life and death and the journey we all must take to find our way in life. I was brought to tears and just then I saw a shooting star streak across the black sky silhouetted by the four thousand foot granite fjords of Princess Louisa Inlet, B.C. I would like to believe that shooting star was my father's spirit saying his last goodbye to me as he began his next journey across the universe. I love you Dad and wish so much that I could tell you all these things. I hope somehow you knew how much of what I have become is because of the love and knowledge you shared with me. It takes a lifetime to learn these things about one’s self and how you become the person you are. I just thought I had more time to share these thoughts with you. I love you Dad. I will always carry you in my heart.