John Carter

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Saturday evening, October 1, 2016 John A.H. Carter found peace and a voice from Heaven saying “Come unto me and rest.”

John A.H. Carter, 81, of Chambersburg, PA, went home to be with the Lord with his wife Gloria; his friends Robert and Helen McKoy; and his special niece Ellamae Sullen at his bedside. Born January 25, 1935 in Gettysburg, he was the son of the late John and Helen Shadney Carter. John was educated in the Gettysburg schools, graduating from the Gettysburg High School in 1953. He was inducted into the National Honor Society during his senior year. He excelled in football, basketball, and track and was known as “Big Bad John”. In 1951 he was a member of the South Penn Champs football team (the first undefeated team and on December 15, 2001 he and other members of this team were inducted into the Adams County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. He began working at the age of 9, shining shoes in Gettysburg and later was employed at Gettysburg Building Supply. He was then employed for a number of years at the former JOCID, the “Big D” in Chambersburg and then went on to work at the former Fairchild Industries in Hagerstown. Mr. Carter retired from the former James River Company in Chambersburg in 1997.

John loved life and people, most of all children, and he loved to sing. He was honored to be asked to sing The National Anthem before the basketball games in Chambersburg. He will be remembered for his love of food. Many guys throughout the years tried to out eat him but he always came out a winner. John was a member of the John Wesley AME Zion Church in Chambersburg. While there he served on several boards and as President of the Goodwill Chorus. He attends St. James AME Church, singing on The Mighty Men of God Chancel Choir, the Combined Choir, and also with the Community Chorus. His love for God and his faith sustained him throughout his years.

Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Gloria L.Carter, whom he married June 24, 1962; his son John C. and wife Tina Carter; four grandchildren, Teshia, Jocelyn, Tyler, and Jenna; and two great-granddaughters, Daijah and Luella, the loves of his life. He is also survived by his sister, Doris M. Pleasants and husband John of Poughkeepsie, NY; his Godson, Brett McKoy and wife Terriann and family; as well as his friends Robert and Helen McKoy and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Donald “Deacon” Jay Carter and Nelson Carter.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM Friday, October 7, 2016 in the Chapel of Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA. Rev. Roger Wilmer will officiate. Interment will follow at Lebanon Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 PM Thursday and from 10:30-11:30 AM Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. James AME Church, 510 South Main Street, Chambersburg, PA 17201.