William Blair McCarter - William Blair McCarter Jr. Obituary

William Blair McCarter, Jr., born on the 1st of January 1930 in Houston, Texas, died Saturday evening, the 12th of November 2011, in his home while surrounded by his devoted family.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Patricia “Pat” Benham McCarter and their loving and devoted children: Janna McCarter Paine and husband, Stephen; Kim McCarter West and husband, Emmett; Joyce McCarter Doyle and husband, Dan; and William Blair McCarter, III and wife, Jackie; and by his pride and joy, his grandchildren: Stephen, Jr., Will and Leanne Paine, Laura and Allison Gorden, Stephen West, Kathleen and Grant Markman, and Blair IV and Emily McCarter. Blair is also survived by his beloved brother, Alfred Nelson McCarter and wife, Kay; and by his niece, Karen Wellspring.

He is preceded in death by his parents, the late William Blair McCarter, Sr. and Edith MacDonald McCarter; his nephew, Alfred Nelson “Mack” McCarter, Jr.; and by his niece and her husband, Claire and Mike Sublett.

A life-long Houstonian at heart, Blair attended and graduated from San Jacinto High School. He graduated from the University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science and a Master’s Degree in Geology, and was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. Blair served his country during the Korean War, where he was an officer in the Air Force.

Blair started his career in New Orleans, where he eventually formed his own company and returned to Houston.

He owned and successfully operated McCarter Oil, Lapis Operating, Inc., and an air charter company, until the age of 81. He was a member of the River Oaks Country Club.

Blair and Pat spent many happy years at their Red Mountain house in Aspen with family. He loved skiing, especially with his Aspen friends, whom he called his “other loved ones.”

Blair loved his wife, Pat, family and many friends. He was a man of all seasons and many facets including music, flowers, and animals: “Skye” the Lab, “Spike” the red cat, and “Charly.”

The family wishes to acknowledge the care and support of Luis Campos, Maria Castro, Reba Wright, Cynthia Davis, William Dunn, and David and Mercedes Martinez, who have faithfully taken care of Big Duke’s Place for many years, and his devoted secretary, Robin Ruffino.

The family also desires to gratefully acknowledge the care of Houston Hospice.

Arrangements in Houston are with Geo. H. Lewis & Sons – The Funeral Directors Since 1936, 713.789.3005, www.geohlewis.com.

A memorial service, to celebrate Blair’s life, is to be conducted at one o’clock in the afternoon on Friday, the 18th of November, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where Rev. M. Eugene Vickrey is to officiate.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held at a venue announced during the service.

In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in Blair’s memory may be directed to Duck’s Unlimited, Inc., 1 Waterfowl Way, Memphis, TN, 38120; Friends For Life Animal Shelter, P. O. Box 70575, Houston, TX, 77270; or to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Rd., Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL, 32256.