Donald Ray Carter, 90, passed away peacefully in his home in Henderson, Kentucky, Saturday, May 9, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Don was born on July 18, 1935, in Evansville, Indiana, went to Caze Elementary School, and graduated from Benjamin Bosse High School in 1953.

Don married Shirley Mitchell, the love of his life on June 1,1980, in Henderson, and they have lived there since.  He worked for more than 37 years at Mead Johnson/Bristol Myers Squibb and retired in 1997.

Don enjoyed spending time gardening and solving jigsaw and crossword puzzles.  He worshipped and served for many years at First Christian Church in Evansville.  Don was the director of the Young World Singers from the early 1970s to 1976 and then again from 1982 to 1991.  He loved Gospel Music, especially the Gaithers, and he sang in a barbershop quartet in the 70's.

He was preceded in death by his father, Frank Carter; his mother, Mildred Marshall Carter Turpin; his sister and brother-in-law, Pat (Chuck) Mitchell; and a daughter, Jennifer Lynn Carter.

Don is survived by his wife, Shirley of Henderson, Kentucky; his daughter, Donna Carter Voss of Louisville, Kentucky; his daughter, Cindi Carter (David) Small of Chandler, Indiana; his daughter, Lori (Wayne) Thompson of Marion, Illinois; his son, Todd (Tonja) Hancock of Morris, Illinois; and son, Casey (Teri) Hancock of Henderson, Kentucky; his nephew, Anthony Mitchell.

Don is Papaw to 18 grandchildren, Bradley Carter, David Robinson, Amanda (Seth) Phelps, Jill (Daniel) Cunningham, Sara Voss, Laura (Justin) Mann, Michael (Mercedes) Barker, Daniel (Donna) Barker, Jonathan Barker, Joshua Barker, Mitchell Hancock, Jasper Hancock, Lizzet Hancock, Elizabeth Hancock, Corbin (Morgan) Hancock, Ian Hancock, Erica (Mike) Walker, and Jason Small; and 13 great-grandchildren (with 2 more on the way).

Services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Rudy-Rowland Funeral Home.  His son, Casey Hancock, will officiate.  Burial will be in Fairmont Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 12, 2026, and 8 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the funeral home.

Contributions may be made to First Christian Church Building Fund, 2845 Beaumont Drive, Evansville, Indiana 47725.

Online condolences may be made at www.rudyrowland.com.