Marvin Egerton Carter

September 02, 1936 ~ June 16, 2024

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Marvin Egerton Carter, 87, passed away peacefully on June 16, 2024. Gator, as he was fondly called by many friends, was born on September 2, 1936, into a pioneer family of Indian River County that homesteaded 80 acres west of Wabasso in 1913. His love of the local area was evident in his many professional and personal pursuits, and it played a large role in shaping him as an individual. After his grandfather and civil engineer Robert D. Carter completed a feasibility study for the Indian River Farms Company in 1911, the family moved to the county and the work of designing and constructing a drainage system for the largely submerged area began. Together with his partner Harry Damerow, Marvin’s grandfather went on to found Carter Associates, a consulting, surveying, and civil engineering company, which was responsible for creating the layout and infrastructure of Vero Beach, as well as designing many important original structures in the city, such as the sewer system, several bridges, and the airport. While attending Vero Beach High School, Marvin was active in the FFA and 4H clubs, and played on the football and basketball teams. Between 1954 and 1959, Marvin studied engineering and agriculture at the University of Florida and eventually joined the family business. Continuing the legacy of his grandfather and father, E.E. Carter, Marvin led the engineering firm in numerous further local development projects and served for over 60 years as the district engineer to the Indian River Farms Water Control District. His extensive knowledge of the infrastructure in the area was unparalleled, and his contributions will be sorely missed. Marvin was also a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and the Vero Beach Jaycees, as well as the Rotary Club, with which he held a perfect attendance record for 40 years.
Marvin’s heart for community service and his dependable nature were apparent early on in his life. Described even in high school as being “always around when he’s needed,” Marvin instinctively availed himself to help others without expecting anything in return and maintained a reputation for solid reliability in the community. Ever loyal to friends and family, Marvin was beloved by so many people for his kind, gentle manner and wonderful sense of humor. His ability to tell a colorful story and deliver the punch line were masterful. Marvin enjoyed the outdoors, especially diving off the coast in his early years and hunting in the Big Cypress Swamp and west of Vero Beach throughout his life. Known as a consummate turkey hunter, Marvin shared his expertise in calling the birds with his many dear friends and the numerous young men he mentored over the years. His love of nature was also apparent in his travels: yearly visits to the mountains of North Carolina, often with his extended family, and many adventurous hunting pilgrimages with friends to Colorado, Idaho, and Virginia. The deep love that Marvin had for his family was expressed in countless ways – from agreeing to skydiving with his grandson and son, although he had no desire to jump out of a plane, to retrieving his daughter’s belongings accumulated in Europe from a cargo ship in Georgia when she couldn’t make the trip herself – he always made time for loved ones and enjoyed gathering with them over the holidays for memorable wild game dinners on Thanksgiving and Christmas eggnog made according to the secret family recipe. Marvin knew how to put people at ease and make them feel at home; he was a man of few words, but his actions spoke volumes and his loving nature was always communicated. The impact Marvin made on his community, his many friends, and his family has been significant; he leaves a legacy of love and generosity that will not be forgotten.
Marvin was preceded in death by his parents Egerton Everett (Ed) Carter and Gertrude (Shug) Carter, his brothers Robert (Bob) Carter, E. Stanley (Stan) Carter, and his sister Mildred (Millie) Carter Bunnell. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Ruth Buchanan Carter, his sister Joye Carter Denmark, his children, Joanna Carter Hunt (Chris) and David Carter (Julia); his grandchildren, Austin Carter, Lyndal Carter, Greta Carter, Eleanor Hunt, Sterling Hunt, and Ian Hunt; and one great granddaughter, Harlow Kondziola.

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Condolence

Joanna Carter Hunt

June 20, 2024, 4:25 pm

A celebration of life for Marvin Carter will be held at First Baptist Church on Tuesday, June 25th at 10:00.

Pamela Ryall Morris

June 20, 2024, 6:29 pm

Marvin was a wonderful person. He and my dad were close friends for many many years and avid hunting buddies. Their love of hunting and fishing, and trips to North Carolina kept our families close over the years. Marvin is now with my dad over the rainbow in their nature paradise waiting for the rest of us to join them someday. I am keeping the Carter family in my thoughts and prayers, and hope all of the happy memories get them through this difficult time. My sympathies, Pam

Jerry and Rita Burns

June 20, 2024, 6:41 pm

Fond memories of Marvin…I have known him a long time…I hunted with him and Ed and Russell Trimm back in the 70’s. We had a great time together. Marvin was an icon in our community, and it was a pleasure to have known him. I always enjoyed a nice chat with him when I was out working on pump issues at his house.
Rita and I send our thoughts and prayers to Ruth and family. May the love and fond memories help comfort you at this time.
Jerry and Rita Burns

Lee Gail

June 20, 2024, 9:47 pm

Omg. SO Sorry to hear this, A Great Man, loved to wait on him at the Bank. So many funny Stories to tell me.

Christopher Culp

June 21, 2024, 12:31 am

Mr.Carter was my friend and mentor I met him in 2006 we just got each other immediately.

He said to me your last name is Culp.

I replied yes sir.

He said I thought so.

German right?

I replied yes sir.

He said I thought so, ya can sure tell a Getman but ya can’t tell them much

Mr. Carter educated me that day I became a better listener and developed a more melting heart towards others.

It was a good education. Being smart is nothing without a good heart.

Mr. Carter super smart but his loving caring heart meant everything to all of us at Carter Associates.

No questions asked immediate kinship. I worked with him from 2006 until 2024.

It was not really work every encounter was my privlidge to serve such a great soul.

Mr. Carter was the one person I could talk to, his wisdom was in his presence and few words and perfect sense of humor.

I always knew how much he meant to me in this way I reckon I am blessed.

I thought I was preaired for his passing.

I found out I was not.

My Sisterinlaw was his nurse, I knew Mr. Carter for longer but she who is used to dying patients is equally torn up.

She has told me the special ones just break your heart.

Yeah, you’ve got it…

This is the testimony of the greatness of my friend.

Mr. Carter, I will not say Marvin because he deserves more respect than that from me.

My Name is Christopher Culp and I miss my friend, my family member.

Mr.Carter is the heart and soul of Carter Associates always has been always will be.

He set the standards and leadership still goes by them.

I pray he is in a much better place without all the issues of the physical body, and I reckon he is because yeah, he is just that good.

Well Mr. Carter I love you and I miss you, and sir I reckon that all I’ve got to say about that.

Yeah you get it.

Uta Dirksen

June 21, 2024, 10:24 am

Unforgotten Barbecues with famous Dad- made burgers and trips with his airboat in the swamps. May he rest in Peace. Love to the Carter and Hunt family ️

Irene Martin

June 21, 2024, 3:00 pm

Ruth, so sorry to hear of your loss.

Debbie Kanehl

June 21, 2024, 7:01 pm

Graham and I send our condolences to you and your family! He was “one of a kind “! Truly a beautiful tribute to read! May Our Heavenly Father comfort and strengthen you and your family during this time!

H T Aldhizer III

June 22, 2024, 1:02 am

Many fond memories of all the times Marvin assisted me with surveys while I was employed at Southern Bell/Bellsouth/AT&T. He will be missed as part of the lunch-time meetings at Kountry Kitchen.

Rest in peace brother!

Jackie Springer

June 22, 2024, 7:46 pm

What a beautiful write up! Ruth, Joanie,David & family I am so very sorry for your loss. I have known Marvin & the Carter family most of my life & will miss him always. Gone but jot forgotten.

Karen Hunt

June 22, 2024, 8:12 pm

Ray and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with Marvin and his family last year. Thank you for your wonderful hospitality and delicious food. But the best of all is this wonderful memory!

james andrew fowler

June 23, 2024, 7:55 pm

Dear Carter Family, My husband, Jim and I would like to say how sorry we are to hear of Marvin’s passing. Vero beach will miss one of her native sons and a good one at that. Jim, a land surveyor, always had the best things to say about Marvin, professionally. I met Marvin through my Mom, Rose Overstreet Bronson. Marvin’s grandmother, Aunt Gert and my grandfather, Mack Overstreet were sister and brother. We will certainly let the Kissimmee “cousins” know of Marvin’s passing. Again, God bless you Ruth and family.
Jim and Carol Bronson Fowler

Evelyn Buchanan Shelton

June 24, 2024, 8:31 pm

Love you Marvin. Thank you for being part of our family and for being by my sister Ruth’s side all of these many years. No words can express how deeply you will be missed.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Ruth and the entire Carter Family

Sybil and Bruce Wilkerson

June 25, 2024, 9:49 am

Mr. Carter is sorely missed at Carter Associates. He truly was so very kind, wise and treated you like family. So thankful he was a part of my life the last 25+ years. This is not good-bye, but see you again on the other side.