Life Tribute – Donald Joseph Carter

Donald Joseph Carter

​Donald J. Carter, 77, died unexpectedly Aug. 8, 2021 at Renown Medical Center in Reno, Nevada. He was born Dec. 7, 1943 in San Francisco, California, and was raised in Fresno, California, the son of Joseph Henry and Marylouise (Gries) Carter.  

​He graduated from Fresno High School in 1961 and went on to attend the University of Oregon. He later received his bachelor’s degree from Fresno State University. Donald went on to get his master’s degree from the University of San Francisco. In 1964 Donald married Catherine Worland and raised three children in Fresno, California, later relocating to Hollister, California and then Susanville, California during his career.

​Donald spent most of his career in education, at the elementary and high school levels. He started as a teacher and basketball coach, then went on to become a principal and retired in 2005 as superintendent of Shaffer Elementary School in Lassen County, California.

​He and his wife Catherine moved to Reno, Nevada where they enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren and traveling to many countries around the world. He had a lifelong love of literature and basketball and always looked forward to taking yearly trips with his closest friends.

​Donald is survived by his wife of 56 years, Catherine; his son, Michael and his wife Susie of Clovis, California; his son Matthew and his wife Andrea of Nayarit, Mexico; and his daughter Melinda Brown and her husband Matthew of Reno, Nevada. He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Zachary Carter, Rachel Carter, Luke Carter, Ella Brown and Elias Brown, along with Donald’s siblings, Randy Carter and wife Terri, Michael Carter and wife Doreen and Rebel Case and husband Jeff.

​Donald will be greatly missed by his family and friends.