Obituary of Phillip Robert Carter

Kingsport - Phillip Robert Carter, 82, of Kingsport passed away Saturday evening June 22, 2013 at Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center following a lengthy illness. Phil Carter was born in Kingsport. Phil was educated in both the city and county school systems, and attended East Tennessee State University. He spent his entire working life in Sullivan County. Mr. Carter was a former employee of the City of Kingsport Engineering and Planning Department, and was a past member of the Sullivan County Tax Assessors staff, which was responsible for the first tax mapping system in Sullivan County. Mr. Carter was appointed by Governor Ellington to the first Tennessee Board of Examiners for Land Surveyors, he served as its elected chairman. He drafted two pieces of legislation that were written into State Law and continued 18 years to serve on this board. Phil was the founder of Carter & Associates, Surveyors and Planners. He managed the company for over 25 years. He was a charter member of the Tennessee Association of Professional Surveyors (TAPS) and he had served as State president and vice president, in addition to various other offices. During his involvement in TAPS he received surveyor of the year award, fellow member award, and lifetime achievement award. He served as vice president of the Southeast Association of Professional Surveyors. Mr. Carter was a past member of the Industrial Technology Advisory Committee at East Tennessee State University. He was a member of Crossroads United Methodist Church. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and took a special interest in gunsmithing. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Claudia Quillen Carter; brother, Larry Carter; and a infant daughter, Susan. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Shirley Chase Carter; daughters, Sherry Renfro and husband, Gary, Pamela Carr and husband, Danny; five grandchildren, Jason Bridwell, Rebecca Lewis and husband Casey, Jessica Mullins and husband Chris, Joseph Renfro, Markita Carr; four great grandchildren, Jamara, Kendall, Jordan, and Levi; and very loyal caregiver, Kenny McDermott. The family will receive friends from 11 am to 12 noon on Wednesday June 26, 2013 at Crossroads United Methodist Church, Kingsport. Family and friends may also call anytime at the residence. A funeral service will follow at 12 noon at the church with Rev. Randy Lantz officiating. Burial will follow at Hite Family Cemetery, Kingsport. Pallbearers will be Danny Carr, Gary Renfro, Jason Bridwell, Joseph Renfro, Casey Lewis, and Chris Mullins. Honorary pallbearers will be Hal Newman, John Gyurcsik, Kenny McDermott, Ron Komarek, William J. Carter and Bob Blazier. In lieu of flowers, the family asked to make memorials to Crossroads United Methodist Church, future building fund, 200 Bays Cove Trail, Kingsport, TN 37660. Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport is serving the Carter family.