Matt L. Carter

Carter, Colonel Ret. Matt L., Jr., 88, of St. Petersburg, died Monday, September 29 at Golfview Healthcare Center. Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, he was a resident of St. Petersburg for nearly 40 years. He was a graduate of Central High School in Chattanooga and entered the armed forces upon graduation. A career officer of the U.S. Air Force, Col. Carter was a veteran of three wars: World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Upon retiring from the military, Col. Carter enjoyed a career in real estate in the St. Petersburg area with Gower-Goheen Realty, Inc. He was a member of Central Christian Church and an active member of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club, serving on both the membership committee and the Board of Directors. His passions in life were fishing, raising orchids and growing a variety of citrus fruits, including grapefruit and lemons, from the trees in his yard. Watching the Buccaneers and Rays play were some of his favorite pastimes. Col. Carter was preceded in death by his wife Ruth Ann Carter and his grandson Philip Matthew Carter. Survivors include his two sons, John Martin Carter of St. Petersburg and Robert Barber Carter of Memphis, Tennessee; his sister Martha Thatcher of Chattanooga; as well as four grandchildren: Elizabeth, Jenna, Teresa and Nathan Carter, also of Memphis. Friends may call on Sunday, October 5 from 4-6 p.m. at Anderson-McQueen Funeral & Cremation Center, 2201 Dr. M L King Street N. for visitation. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 6 at Central Christian Church, 6161 22nd Avenue N. A military honors ceremony and burial will follow on Tuesday, October 7 at 9:15 a.m. at Bay Pines National Cemetery, 10, 000 Bay Pines Boulevard. The family prefers memorial donations be sent to Central Christian Church, 6161 22nd Avenue N. Anderson-McQueen Funeral Home-N.E. St. Petersburg Chapel, 727 822-2059