Cash Clay Carter Obituary (1925

Cash Clay Carter was born in Seth, West Virginia on November 16, 1925 to Henry Carter (an engineer on a Log-Hauling train) and Alice Ward (a homemaker). Cash was the youngest of 4 children. Cash left home at 15 to join the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC's) where he was stationed in Green River, Wyoming. As a CCC's recruit, he built conservation trails, worked in state and national parks, and fought forest fires. When World War II broke out in December of 1941, Cash joined the Navy - using his older brother's birth certificate to enlist, since he was only 16 at the time. During the war, Cash served on Liberty and Victory ships transporting troops to battle areas in the Pacific theatre. His ship was sunk in the Indian Ocean by a German U-Boat in 1943. He was rescued 3 days later and shipped back to the U.S. for 30 days R&R, new uniforms, and a break from the action. He was then stationed on a Destroyer in the Pacific where he served until the end of the war. In 1944 his ship was sent to the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York for repairs. While on liberty, he met Frances Infantino - the love of his life. He and Frances married on February 11, 1945, and had 3 children: Tim, John and Bill. After the war, Cash elected to stay in the Navy where he served in the Korean conflict and later in Viet Nam. During his 20+ years in the Navy he was stationed in Newport, RI, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Astoria, OR, and Bangor, WA. During peace time he served as a Tug Boat skipper - a job he thoroughly enjoyed. Cash retired from the Navy with honors as a Chief Boatswain's Mate after 23 years of service. He made his home in Tracyton, WA. and worked for the U.S. Government Civil Service as a winch operator at Bangor, and a security guard at Keyport. He fully retired in the mid-1990's where he and Fran enjoyed traveling and watching their grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow. Cash was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years Frances, but is survived by his 3 sons Tim (Shelley) Carter, John (Melody) Carter, and Bill (Ruth) Carter; plus 6 grandchildren (Shaughn, Christian, Ryan, Brandon, Erica and Cheyenne), and 4 great grandchildren (Taylor, Alyssa, Peyton, and Quintus). A memorial service is being planned. The date, time and place will be announced in the future. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Cash's name to the Martha and Mary Health Services - who the family recognizes for their loving and professional care during the last days of Cash's life.