Mr. Carter was born Oct. 27, 1933, in Stafford County. He was a counselor and professor. He graduated from Pratt Community Junior College in 1958, Emporia State University in 1962 and Arizona State University in 1967. He married Deborah on May 3, 1980. Mr. Carter's memberships included First United Methodist Church, Salina, and Kansas West Conference of the United Methodist Church, where he served on various committees and was recognized as co-associate lay leader from 1996-2004. He represented the Kansas West Conference at General Conference and was a past member of Smokey Valley SAMS of Abilene.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dayton and Evelyn Carter.

Survivors include his wife Deborah of the home; two sons, Eldon Russell Jr. and Kevin Ray, both of Salina; two daughters, Susan Renee Martin of Manhattan and Shelley Rajean Donaldson and husband Clint of Salina; three brothers, Duane and wife Florene Carter of Alva, Okla., Harold Earl and wife Mary Carter of Altus, Okla., and Kenneth Carter of Prosser, Wash.; a sister, Wilma Helen Streaker of Houston; 14 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church, Salina, with the Rev. Troy Bowers officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Park, Salina.

Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association, the church or the charity of the donor's choice.