Charlie Carter

It was out of character when Charlie couldn’t keep up with his daily passions of exercising, yardwork and running around with his grandkids. After multiple doctor visits he was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia that later progressed to AML. To no surprise to his loved ones, he fought as hard as anyone could and refused to ever give up. Charlie passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 9th, 2025, at the age of 65 surrounded by his children. Up until his final days, his witty sense of humor and big heart had us laughing and crying at the same time.

Charlie was born on October 31st, 1959, in Kansas City, Missouri to his parents Mary and Loris Carter. He was the baby of the family, and his mom treated him as such. He had the constant love and support of his two older siblings, Michael and Pam, throughout his life. Both his dad and brother passed down to him a love of fishing. Michael and he often took fishing trips to Canada which eventually included his nephews, Jeff and Matt. His sister Pam has been a constant presence and protector to not only him, but also his wife and children. She often visited him in the hospital and always made sure he had his favorite treats.

Growing up, Charlie attended St. Agnes Catholic School followed by Bishop Miege High School. He worked at the local grocery store alongside his mom who got him a job before he was “legally” old enough to work. Little did he know, he would be working alongside family for the next 50 years of his life. Him and his wife, Jodi, worked together at Abram’s Pharmacy after purchasing it from Jodi’s parents, Wesley and Dolores. Toward the end of his career, he worked with his daughter, Mackenzie, for over a decade.

Charlie and Jodi met November 18th, 1981, in Lawrence, Kansas after he found her name posted on the seating chart outside their pharmacy class. They spent the next several months meeting in the science library to talk, write love notes and presumably “study”. Charlie proposed to Jodi on December 23rd, 1983 and they were married at St. Agnes Church in Roeland Park, Kansas on July 20th, 1984.

They went on to have three children, Zachary, Mackenzie, and Mackaela. Their greatest memories growing up are of family vacations, neighborhood gatherings, road trips, game nights and anything sports related. Zach and Charlie not only bonded through their love of sports but also shared an obscure passion for weather, history, and yardwork. Mackenzie and Charlie spent most of their days together and became extremely close over recent years. She was able to be with him every day at the hospital. For Mackaela, Charlie played the role of dad and coach during childhood. Into adulthood, he became a best friend and was her biggest support as she started her journey into motherhood. Jodi was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s in 2013. Charlie dedicated himself to making sure she had the best care in the comfort of their home. Despite hardships, the Carter family only got closer and grew in size. In 2021, the same year he lost his beloved Jodi, he became “Chachi.” Chachi welcomed his first grandchild, Jovie, in 2021 and his grandson, Rocky, in 2024. There is nothing he loved more than being their Chachi.

Charlie treated the people he loved with kindness, humor and respect. He was extremely ornery and silly (more often than not). He was a charmer and a motivator. More than anything - he unconditionally loved his family with devout loyalty.

Charlie is preceded in death by his wife, Jodi (Miller) Carter; his brother, Michael Carter; his mother, Mary (Schwartz) Carter; and his father, Loris Carter.

He is survived by his loving children: his son, Zachary Carter and his wife, Sarah; his daughter, Mackenzie (Carter) Barajas and her husband, Jaymes Barajas; his daughter, Mackaela (Carter) Bandy and her husband, Nick Bandy, and their children, Jovie and Rocky Bandy; and his dear sister, Pamela Carter.

A visitation will be held on Friday, March 14th from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Amos Family Funeral Home in Shawnee, KS. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, March 15th at 10:00 am at Queen of the Holy Rosary - Wea, 22779 Metcalf Rd, Bucyrus, KS 66013. Burial at Queen of the Holy Rosary Cemetery.