Corporal Christopher Carter

Christopher James Carter, 22, a compassionate, charismatic and courageous Army Airborne Ranger died 02/12/15 from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident at Joint Base Lewis-McCord. Chris was a 2010 graduate of Francis Howell High School in St. Charles, MO. Chris was loved completely by his parents, LTC Beth Zimmer, MD and Stanley Carter, DVM, of Weldon Spring, MO. Survivors also include his grandparents, Jimmy and Ruth Carter of Joplin, MO and Donald and Rose Zimmer formerly of St. Louis and now residents of Sun Lakes, AZ. He is survived by aunts, uncles and cousins: Mitchell and Gale Carter of Indian Harbor, FL, Heather (Shad) Lankford and Cory Carter of Seneca, MO and Timothee (Gilbert) Gonzalez of San Antonio, TX; John and Kathy Zimmer Halaney, Brandy (Robert) Benthal, Andrew and Autumn Halaney of St. Peters, MO; Karl and Sarah Zimmer, Jacob and Nathan Zimmer of San Diego, CA; Eric and Debra Zimmer, Alex, Katie and Kasey Zimmer of Plano, TX; John Zimmer, Timothy and Maxwell Zimmer of Portland, OR; and Tony and Alice Tharenos and Athena Tharenos of St. Louis, MO and numerous friends including childhood best friend JR Christiansen of St. Charles, MO and Ranger buddies, especially Matthew Fletcher of Chicago, ILFuneral mass will be 12:00 on Friday, February 27, on Chris' 23rd birthday, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1355 Motherhead Road, St. Charles, MO 63304 with military honors internment following at Jefferson Barracks, 2900 Sheridan Road, St. Louis, MO 63125. Following the services, a celebration of Chris' life and receiving line will be held from 3:30-7:00 p.m. at Whitmoor Country Club, 1100 Whitmoor Drive, St. Charles, MO 63304. All friends and family are welcome to attend the services and celebration.Chris was intent on serving his country as an Army Ranger since age 11, when he was introduced by his mother during her deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Directly from high school, Chris entered Army basic training and airborne school, passed the intense Ranger Assessment and Selection Program (RASP). He deployed to Afghanistan less than two months after arriving at the 2/75 Ranger Battalion, Ft. Lewis, WA. Chris earned the esteemed Ranger School Tab as a PFC. Chris rapidly rose to rank of Corporal in a leadership position with a model record. He spent four years in the military and completed four high tempo Afghanistan Special Operations deployments. He was a machine gun team and anti-tank team leader. Among his many military awards and decorations includes the prestigious Ranger Tab, three Army Commendation Medals, the Army Achievement Medal and Good Conduct Medal.Chris enjoyed music as an avid guitar player. He was a fanatical supporter of the Cardinals and Rams. Chris was an expert sharpshooter and had an aptitude for target/trap shooting. He had fun hitting the slopes with his mother on his snowboard and jumping waves on his SeaDoo. Chris loved cars and spent endless hours taking apart, enhancing and rebuilding anything that moved. Chris will be remembered for many things but, above all, for his compassion. He had an uncanny ability to connect and see into the souls of others. He often befriended those who needed a comrade and was there for others during hard and difficult times, especially his fellow soldiers.Chris' playful spirit was a joy to others, especially children. His cousins and friends' children were drawn to him. His magnetism was universal; on a medical mission trip to Peru the children flocked to him and chanted his name.In addition, Chris was passionate about animals. As a youth, Chris defended and rescued tadpoles from a threatened pond and distributed to neighbors for upkeep. Chris maintained a pet cemetery in the family's back yard for his numerous reptiles. Chris took pleasure from his dogs and working with pets in his father's veterinary clinic. His charming smile, sparkling green eyes and love of family will be missed. His commitment to protecting and improving the lives of others, with an emphasis on soldiers, will continue on through the Chris Carter Fund for Life. In lieu of flowers, family and friends may contribute to the fund via check or online bill pay to Raymond James FBO The Chris Carter Fund for Life, 9900 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO 63124. Please note that gifts to this revocable trust are not tax deductible but will support a legacy of helping others.