Clarence E. Carter, 85

Clarence E. Carter, 85, passed away on Monday, Aug. 11, 2008, at his home in Kalispell. Clarence was born on June 7, 1923, in Sumner, Wash., to Charles and Liza (Lauerman) Carter. He was raised in Sumner and graduated from Sumner High School.

Clarence worked as a federal guard on Pier 91 in Seattle, and also as a federal guard at Grand Coulee Dam. He was promoted to power house operator at Grand Coulee Dam; later, Clarence was transferred to the Hungry Horse Dam in 1962, where he worked as the power house operator. He retired in 1978.

Clarence married Ann Harshbarger on Oct. 18, 1970, in Hungry Horse.

He was very active in the Central Bible Church in Kalispell. He was a past grand master of Mason for the state of Montana, and was an active member of the York Rite.

He loved collecting guns, and enjoyed embroidery, sewing and quilting. He also loved to just tinker on the computer.

Clarence was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Liza Carter; his first wife, Edra N. Akin; and a son, Daniel R. Rose.

He is survived by his wife, Ann Carter, of Kalispell; daughter, Alecia Schmidt, and husband, Jeff, of Lexington, Mo.; Gordon Rose of Coram; Vicki Kirby and her husband, Robert, of Brady; Julie Hamm of Great Falls; a son and daughter in Seattle, and a son in Helena; 12 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, and one on the way.

A celebration of Clarence's life will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, at Central Bible Church in Kalispell, with the Rev. Ron Youde officiating. Private family urn burial will be held later at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family. Condolences may be left for the family at www.buffalohillfh.com.