Russell I. Carter, 80 of Cooperstown passed away at 10:20 P.M. Sunday July 20, 2014 at The Caring Place in Franklin.

Born March 11, 1934 in Dempseytown, he was a son of the late Norris M. Carter Sr. and Margaret L. Thorngate Carter.

Mr. Carter was a 1951 graduate of Oil City High School.

He proudly served his country with the United States Navy.

He worked many years at the Continental Can Company retiring after 31 years. Russell additionally worked for Baker Transportation and Prichard’s as a bus driver for the Oil City school district.

He enjoyed playing guitar, mowing his grass and collecting coins. Russell loved country and bluegrass music and enjoyed attending weekly bluegrass shows in Polk. In his younger years he played in a bluegrass band and also helped organize various fundraisers in the area.

Mr. Carter and his wife enjoyed playing cards weekly with their special friends Frank and Scotty Wade.

On April 24, 1954 he married the former Virginia A. Fike in Oil City and she survives.
Also surviving are three children; Douglas Carter and his companion Robbi Terrill of Franklin, Gregory Carter and his wife Vickie of Cooperstown, and Wendy Garbacz and her husband Michael of Reno; three brothers, Norris Carter Jr., Robert Carter, and Glenn Carter; two sisters, Joyce Wetjen, Twila Wengerd; a and a sister in law, June Carter.

Additionally surviving are five grandchildren; Dusty, Alicia, Justin, Nathan and Brandon; six great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Aaron (A.J.), Damian, Landen, Riley, and Katlynn, many nieces and nephews and Russell’s beloved dog of 13 years, Princess.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by three brothers; Edmund Carter, Frederick Carter and Francis Carter and two sisters, Alice Persing and Isabelle Carter.

Family and friends are welcome from 4:00 – 7:00 P.M. Wednesday and from 10:00 – 11:00 A.M. Thursday at Huff Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc. 312 West Park St. Franklin.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Dr. Ed Saxman, Pastor of Oakland United Methodist Church, officiating.

Military honors will be rendered by the V.E.T.S Honor Guard at the funeral home.

Interment will be made at Lamey Cemetery.

Memorial donations, if desired may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

To send online condolences visit www.huffchapel.com.