Jack Oren Carter

Jack Oren Carter, 91, of Urbandale, Iowa passed away on Saturday, October 30, 2021 at his winter home in Sun City, Arizona.  Jack was born in Glidden, Iowa to Verne and Blanche (Harris) Carter and at the age of nine moved to West Plains, Missouri with his family.  Jack graduated from West Plains High School in 1949.  Later he moved to Des Moines and raised his family in Van Meter before making Urbandale his permanent summer home.  He worked at John Deere in Ankeny where he retired after 30 years of service.  After retirement he spent many years traveling throughout the United States with his wife, prior to making Sun City, Arizona his permanent winter home.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, wife Norma, brother Dale, and sister Fayetta.  He is survived by his six children: Suzette Carter (Bob Swenson), Dennis, Nancy (Bruce) Harvey, Dixie (Joe) Radke, Judy (Jeff) Morrell, and Randy.  He is also survived by eight grandchildren:  Jason and Andy Radke; Nate, Lucas and Ruben Harvey; Bailey and Quintin Morrell and Miles Swenson.  Jack also has five great grandchildren:  Chris and Hunter Radke; Aurora Harvey; Delaney Swenson and Layklyn Morrell.  The grandkids would all squeal with laughter as he growled tenderly at their neck or cringe when he sang the "Good Morning Song" too early after a sleepover, but then be delighted with the pancakes he made for them.  He is also survived by many, many friends around the country and all the dogs in his neighborhood.  They all brought joy into his life.

Jack was an inventor of several patented items.  He was a Jack of all trades and a master of many ("Master Jack").  He could make a gourmet meal, host a party, or make fine gold or silver jewelry just as easily as he could run a business, roof a house, install a lawn sprinkler system or put a new engine in the car.  Anytime you needed advice or a tip on a great travel destination, Jack was the one you turned to.

He described a recent Mississippi River cruise from St. Louis, Missouri to Red Wing, Minnesota as FANTASTIC and was looking forward to a similar trip next summer. He enjoyed family, friends, dog-friends, playing pool, golfing (his record was 5 holes-in-one!), silversmithing, fishing, and was an avid hunter, shooter and sportsman.  Jack loved hosting monthly family cookouts, Fourth of July parties and the Christmas Eve and Day gatherings.  In Arizona he enjoyed his many good friends, the silver club, the "singles club" get-togethers and his carefree life in the sunshine.  He was a member of the NRA, Elks and Izaak Walton League.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, November 16 at 3 p.m. at New Hope Assembly of God, 4425 70th Street, Urbandale, IA.  A private family burial will take place on Friday, December 17 followed by a celebration of life with family and friends at the American Legion Post 403 Veterans Reception Center in Van Meter, IA at 5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:  Above + Beyond Cancer - AboveAndBeyondCancer.org founded by Dr. Richard Deming, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa - Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Inc. ARL-iowa.org , or the American Legion Post 403 at Van Meter - LegionPost403.org .