Rickey Keith Carter died on March 22, 2024 while doing what he loved best – riding in the Texas countryside on his motorcycle. Tragedy and Comedy met at a bend in the road when a javelina decided to cross paths with him and his motorcycle on a spring afternoon outside of Pecos, Texas.
Rick was born in Honey Grove, Texas on June 18, 1948 to Claudean Huddleston and Wanda (Weaver) Carter. He graduated from Garland High School in 1966 and went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Texas. He married Toni L. James on January 24, 1969. They resided in Austin, Texas and raised their three children Christian, Laura, and Alexis there. Rick was an Account Sales Manager (Central Texas Service Rep) for the Dr Pepper company for over 40 years. He was well regarded in the industry as a fair and kind person who always went the extra mile to educate and inform his customers. He was a consummate salesman and excellent storyteller who loved to entertain folks with funny stories.
With his kids, he was always either the coach of the team or on the sidelines cheering them on. He never missed a game, concert, or ceremony and his children were blessed with a father who was always a positive and helpful presence in their lives. In recent years he has been a fixture at his grandkids’ swim meets, basketball games, and jiujitsu practices. He lit up when speaking about his grandkids and all their achievements and antics.
Later in life, he met and married Joy Smith. They shared a family of three dogs together. They enjoyed dining out in and around the Austin area, engaging in political discussions and streaming all their favorite shows. Joy is an expert seamstress and Rick was tall enough to hold up quilts for photo shoots. They always knew to say what the other needed to hear and were great companions for each other in life. They loved to travel: attending Broadway shows in New York, riding cable cars in San Francisco, and heading to the Pacific Northwest to enjoy the youngest granddaughter’s childhood.
Rick enjoyed walking his three small dogs around his Lago Vista neighborhood each morning to stay fit and was an avid BMW motorcycle club member. He was an election judge in Travis County and took his duty very seriously (but also kept the election volunteers stocked with his Atomic Fire Ball candies and entertained with his jokes and stories.)
He was preceded in death by his father and stepmother Claudean and Evelyn Huddleston, his infant sister Deanna Gail Carter, and his parents Albert and Wanda Carter. He is survived by his wife, Joy Smith, his son Christian (Allisa) Carter, daughter Laura Carter, daughter Alexis (Travis Frazelle) Carter and his grandchildren Julia Carter, Brandon Carter, and Alma Carter Frazelle; brother David (Kathy) Huddleston and brother Michael (Mylinda) Carter as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.
Rick held steadfast values about supporting and loving his family, and he gave this greatest gift to his children – living by the example that family is the meaning of life; always take care of your family. Rick was a supporter of numerous charitable causes, and in lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to The Central Texas Food Bank. A celebration of life for family and friends will be held on April 15th from 10-2 at Camp Lucy in Dripping Springs, TX.