Carter Hunt, 91, passed away Aug. 14, 2013, in Fort Smith. He was born Feb. 26, 1922, in San Pedro, Calif. Carter graduated from University High Schoolin Los Angeles and received his bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 1942. 

He was commissioned Ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserves in April 1942 and was ordered to active duty in June 1942. Carter was released to inactive duty as lieutenant in April 1946.

He married Shirley Rotermund in October 1945, and they shared 51 years together before she passed away in November 1996.

Upon release from active Navy duty in April 1946, Carter joined Hiram Walker & Sons Inc. in Peoria, Ill., as a chemical engineer in research. In 1948, he advanced to assistant superintendent of the company's San Francisco plant. He returned to Peoria in 1956 as project engineer. Carter held variousmanagement positions in production and purchasing, becoming vice president and general production manager in 1979 with responsibility for all U.S. production operations. He was elected executive vice president in 1983. 

From 1977-82, he was instrumental in the process of major changes in Hiram Walker's U.S. production, which involved closure and sale of the Peoria plant, and design, construction and start-up of the Fort Smith plant. Carter relocated to Fort Smith in 1981 and retired March 1, 1987.

His previous business activities were: Director - Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce; chairman, vice chairman and treasurer - Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce; president - Manufacturing Executives Association, Fort Smith; director - Fort Smith Industrial Foundation; director - Merchants National Bank, Fort Smith; steering committee - Fort Smith Comprehensive Plan (2001-2002).

His many civic activities included: Director and past chair - Fort Smith Area Community Foundation; director and past president - Fort Smith Symphony; member - United Way of Fort Smith Committee of 21, from 1981-84; fund drive chairman - Fort Smith Symphony, 1985; campaign vice chairman - United Way of Fort Smith, 1984 and 1985; campaign chairman - United Way of Fort Smith, 1986; president - Leadership Fort Smith; trustee - St. Edward Mercy Medical Center; chairman - Ben Geren Regional Park Commission; member - Fort Smith Advertising and Promotion Commission; city director, Ward 3 - City of Fort Smith, Jan. 1, 1989 - Dec. 31, 1996.

Carter was awarded the Exceptional Accomplishment Award, 1988, Arkansas Community Development Program; Mayor's Honors to the Visual and Performing Arts, 2003; the Jack White Outstanding Leadership Award, 2003, Leadership Fort Smith; the Lugean Chilcote Award for Extraordinary Service, 2003, Arkansas Community Foundation; and was awarded The Golden Deeds Award in 2012, by the Noon Exchange Club.

He was a member and elder of First Presbyterian Church and other social activities include: Member - Rotary Club of Fort Smith; member - Noon Civics Club; and member of Hardscrabble County Club and The Town Club.

He is survived by two daughters, Karen Hunt Alexander of Ben Lomond, Calif., and Marsha Hunt Condit and her husband Ward R. Condit of Mesa, Ariz.; one son, Gregory Hunt and his wife Mary Faith of Quincy, Ill.; three grandchildren, Jessica Hunt and Logan and Taylor Alexander; granddaughterin-law, Kate Hunt; and four great-grandchildren, Oscar, Abraham, Nora Jane and Atticus Hunt. He is also survived by extended family, Teri Miller of Houston.

Carter was preceded in death by his grandson, Jason Hunt, and his half sister, Barbara B. Clarke. Memorial service will be 1 p.m. Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church with private burial of cremains at Oak Cemetery. Services and cremation are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

The family will receive friends in the church parlor following the memorial service.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorials may be sent to Fort Smith Symphony, P.O. Box 3151, Fort Smith, AR 72913, or to Fort Smith Area Community Foundation, 5111 Rogers Ave., Plaza Suites at Central Mall, Room 502, Fort Smith, AR 72903.