James Gordon Carter, born May 14, 1932, died Jan. 7, 2019 at the age of 86 years.

Jim was the third of three children born to Hunter Howard Carter and Muriel Anne Carter in Seattle. He grew up in Seattle, graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1949 and entered the University of Washington on a Naval ROTC scholarship.

Upon graduation in 1953, he received his bachelor of science in electrical engineering and commission as Ensign, U.S. Navy.

He saw active naval service in the South China Sea off Korea, China and Japan.

In 1957, Jim received a degree in industrial engineering and went to work for the telephone company.

He met the love of his life, Janet Neelin, in Victoria Canada, and they married Sept. 9, 1961. One month later, Jim was recalled to active naval service by the president. Duty included patrol off Vietnam in the early days of the conflict. Jim returned to the telephone company, retiring in 1985. Following retirement, Jim worked in real estate and then for the IRS until 1994. He completed his military service as commander, U.S. Naval Reserve.

Jim scheduled yearly family trips to Janet’s childhood farm in Killarney throughout their entire marriage, keeping a promise to her parents that he would bring her home often. In later years, Jim and Janet expanded their travel to include many cruises to Alaska and trips to Mount Rainier, camping in their trailer, and many other destinations.

However, their favorite place to spend time was Bells Beach, where Jim built their family cabin on land he purchased with his paper route money at the age of 18.

Jim was preceded in death by both of his parents, his brother George and his eldest son John. He is survived by his wife Janet, his daughter Mary (husband Brian), sons David (wife Kimberly) and Howard as well as his sister Katherine. He was blessed by five grandchildren: Eric, Sally, Dylan, Carlena and Allison.

Jim was a very kind and loving man who established traditions that are still continued by his family today. Family video/movies, Christmas waffles, holiday punch recipe and cabin time, to name a few. He was a member of the Langley United Methodist Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to charities supporting our military in Jim’s name. A service to celebrate Jim’s life is 1 p.m. Jan. 20, 2019, 1 p.m., at United Methodist Church, 301 Anthes Ave, Langley, WA 98260.

Jim will be laid to rest in a full honor military ceremony at Tahoma National cemetery in Kent on Jan. 21, 2019, 11:30 a.m.