In Memory of . . . I. Gregg Carter (1929-2014)

Gregg Carter PhotoThe Rev. I. Gregg Carter died on April 20, 2014 at the age of 85.  Gregg was born on February 28, 1929, to Joseph and Lena Carter. He received a Bachelor of Science, majoring in sociology, from Southwestern at Memphis (now Rhodes College) in 1949. After college, he was a social worker with the Tennessee Department of Welfare. He served in the United States Army from 1951 to1953 on active duty in Korea, and was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal. He went on to attain a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Meadville Lombard Theological School of the University of Chicago in 1956.

Rev. Carter was ordained to the Unitarian ministry by the Westminster Congregational Society, at the Westminster Unitarian Church, in Providence, RI (now in East Greenwich, RI). He served as minister to the Westminster Congregational Society from 1956 to 1963, and the Unitarian Church of Staten Island, NY from 1963 to 1968. He simultaneously served the Unitarian Church of Sharon, MA and the First Universalist Church of Foxborough, MA from 1968 to 1969. He then served the Unitarian Church of Marlborough and Hudson, MA from 1969 to 1974; the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lynn, MA from 1974 to 1977; and the First Congregational Parish in Kingston, MA from 1977 to 1988. He went on to serve as interim minister to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fort Wayne, IN from 1989 to 1991; Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, of Oak Ridge, TN from 1991 to 1992; the Unitarian Universalist Church in Oak Park, IL (now Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation) from 1992 to 1993; and the First Universalist Church of Yarmouth, ME from 1994 to 1995.

Rev. Carter served the denomination in various capacities. He was a member of the Southern New England Unitarian Council from 1957 to 1958; advisor of the Narragansett Federation of Liberal Religious Youth from 1957 to 1958; secretary of the Channing Conference of Unitarian Churches from 1957 to 1958; president and scribe of the Channing-Murray Unitarian Ministers’ Association from 1957 to 1961; board member of the New England Unitarian Ministers’ Association from 1957 to 1961; program chairman of the Greenfield Group of Unitarian Universalist Ministers from 1962 to 1964; member of the Social Concerns Committee of the Metropolitan District of Unitarian Universalist Churches from 1966 to 1967; program Chairman and Secretary-Treasurer of the Central Massachusetts District of Unitarian Universalist Ministers from 1971 to 1972; and treasurer of the Unitarian Sunday School Society from 1976 to 1977.

Gregg was an amateur organist and had a lifelong appreciation for music. He was a talented student of calligraphy, and taught several classes on the subject. Additionally, he was fascinated with the history of religion, and was an avid reader.

Gregg is described by his wife, Jane Carter, as “one of the kindest people who ever walked the earth….everyone who knew him felt that way about him.” She fondly remembers him as a gifted minister who was, “excellent at extemporaneous prayers and preaching” and a “wonderful father.”

He is survived by his wife, Jane Carter; son, Scott Barton Carter; daughter, Catherine E. Carter and son-in-law Kevin Seward; and his sister-in law Marcia Akerholm, along with many cousins in Mississippi, Louisiana and Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CapeAbilities, 895 Mary Dunn Road, Hyannis, MA 02601.

Notes of condolences may be sent in care of Jane Carter, 103 Sanford Ave, Somerset, MA 02726-5209.

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