Friends will gather at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 29, 2023, at the Old Post Office in West Plains to celebrate the life of Scott Carter who died unexpectedly Friday night, June 23.
A genuine proud Zizzer member (and student body president) of the amazing Class of 1980, Scott was a kind and loving member of an historic family. But, even more, by his life and standards he lifted up the community and those around him.
Curtis Scott Carter valued and practiced scholarship, graduating magna cum laude from William Jewell University in 1984. He was a proud member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. In 1983, while a junior at William Jewell, he was honored to be selected a student scholar to study at Oxford University in England. He remained socially active in campus affairs, particularly in the arts of which he was a patron. He was also president of the fraternity alumni board. Vanderbilt University granted Scott a juris doctor in law and an MBA in 1988.
During his legal training he was chosen to clerk for the Missouri Appellate Court system. Internships were had with the West Plains Bank and the Garrett and Ray law firm. Enrolled in the Missouri Bar in 1988, he practiced in Kansas City until health issues prompted return to his home and family in Thayer and West Plains where he had always maintained and nourished his roots.
While living in Thayer, he participated in the family funeral home business and was a licensed funeral director.
Scott always tried to add more than he took away, maintaining a vigor for public service. As a member of Clifton Lodge he was a proud Mason, Rotarian (president), the faith community and general volunteerism. Scott never was unkind, coarse, impatient or less than adoring to his family and friends.
He is survived by his mother Saundra Dodge Carter and Leonard Johnson, Springfield, Mo.; his brother Dr. A. Brent Carter and Laura Johnson of Birmingham, Ala.; nephew Aaron J. Carter, Chicago, Ill.; nieces Anna Caroline Carter, Iowa City, Iowa, and Hallie Dodge Horne, West Plains; brother-in-law Vaune Horne, West Plains; and aunt Nancy Dodge Caplinger, Springfield. Also surviving are several cousins. Extended family include Julianne Johnson, Washington, D.C., and Kurt Johnson, San Antonio, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his father Larry L. Carter and his sister Robin Carter-Horne.
Masonic Rites and the inurnment will be at 2:30 p.m. June 29 at 2:30 at Oaklawn Cemetery after the celebration of Scott’s life.
June 27, 2023 @ 5:33 pm
My condolences to the Carter Family. Scott & I attended & graduated WPHS together. I always remembered him as a nice easy going fella.
June 27, 2023 @ 8:06 pm
Scott was a great man and fellow brother in the lodge. Great classmate as well. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. RIP my friend
June 27, 2023 @ 8:24 pm
I am so sorry!!
June 28, 2023 @ 10:00 am
Condolences to the Carter family, sorry for the loss of your son, and our fellow class mate, RIP
July 4, 2023 @ 10:53 am
So very sorry to hear this news. May your memories soothe your hearts til you’re together again. Can you imagine the line of people waiting to greet him at Heavens gates!
June 28, 2023 @ 8:50 am
Scott was one of the kindest and most intelligent person you would ever meet. He will be missed by all who knew him and his classmates realize what the world has lost. RIP Scott.
June 28, 2023 @ 9:42 am
Carter and family, I’m sorry for the loss of your loved one.
June 28, 2023 @ 2:50 pm
I am so saddened to hear of the loss of Scott. When our Dad passed away in 2020, he was so kind and so helpful with making sure we were happy with his service. He was also always a pleasure to visit with anytime I might see him out and about in Thayer away from the funeral home. Our love and prayers for his family and friends.
June 28, 2023 @ 2:56 pm
Saundra, Brent, and family, I am so sorry to learn of Scott’s passing. May you find peace in the comfort of your family and loved ones.
June 28, 2023 @ 5:48 pm
With deepest sympathy
June 28, 2023 @ 4:56 pm
Saundra/Leonard, Brent/Laura & Family, and Vaune & Hallie,
My parents, Norris/Ivene Cozort, and I want to extend our Deepest Condolences to all of you on the passing Scott. Scott was a year older than me but we knew each other very well through, his sister Robin whom I was friends with in High School and later on as well. I can remember Scott being a kind caring individual with a great sense of humor and his smile. May God provide comfort, peace, strength, and encouragement to each one of you and may God bless all of you.
In Christian Love,
Norris/Ivene Cozort
Amber(Cozort)Redburn
June 28, 2023 @ 6:21 pm
Joyce Floyd and families
I am so sorry hearing the loss of Scott. When my husband Ronald passed in April of 2022 Scott was very nice and so helpful to me and my children. He was very friendly and helped with everything we needed. Scott will be missed in our community and at the funeral home in Thayer.
June 28, 2023 @ 8:46 pm
I am so sorry to hear about Scott. My thoughts and prayers to you and your family during this difficult time. Scott and I graduated WPHS together. He was a good friend and classmate.
June 28, 2023 @ 8:54 pm
Our family is sorrowful for the loss of Scott. He and his sister so close in age and in death is tragic. Rest in peace our friend. We will not be able to attend the services and I wish we could have. Butch and I both considered him a friend and we definitely would have been there if we could..
June 28, 2023 @ 9:12 pm
I went to school with Scott. He was a really nice person. So sorry for your loss.
July 5, 2023 @ 7:10 am
What a beautiful commentary on Scott’s life, he did live a extraordinary, thoughtful, and giving life and I feel honored to have known Scott through his extended family. In his short time in our world he fulfilled that time like few his age are able with accomplishments that always gave back.
July 6, 2023 @ 5:21 pm
Scott was always so helpful and kind. I loved hearing his stories, he was such an intelligent and interesting person! He will be greatly missed. Prayers for your family.