Bryan Jarvis Carter, age 82, of Nappanee, died on Thursday, June 4, 2015, at his home together with his loving wife.

He was born April 30, 1933 in Rutledge, Tenn., to Conley and Bessie (McElhaney) Carter.

He married Diane Smeltzer on August 23, 1959. She died with him on June 4, 2015.

He lived most of his lifetime in Nappanee. Bryan was in the United States Army and served in Germany. He was a graduate of Bourbon High School and a graduate of Manchester College, and also he received his master’s degree from Indiana University.

He was a retired NorthWood High School Business Teacher, where he taught for 40 years. He was the “Voice of the NorthWood Panthers” for 50 years. Bryan was also in the Elkhart County Sports Hall of Fame, and was the founder/former member of the Optimist Club in Nappanee. He was a member of Union Center Church of the Brethren where he served as a deacon. He played Santa Claus for many school, church, and special events, and for friends. He and his wife were winter residents of Mission, Texas.

Surviving are a daughter Shelley (Troy Finefrock) Bond, Nappanee; sons Tracy (Sandra) Carter, Nappanee, Stacy (Suzi) Carter, Elkhart; foster daughter, Deborah (Cesar) de Molina, of Colorado; grandchildren, Cassandra Graber, Gabrielle Graber, Andrew Jarvis “AJ” Carter, Dylan Carter, Travis Carter, and Branston Finefrock; sister Frances Berkey of Bourbon, and brother Kyle (Bev) Carter of Etna Green. He was preceded in death by granddaughter McKyla “Kylie-K” Finefrock.

Friends and family may call on Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at Thompson-Lengacher & Yoder Funeral Home, Nappanee from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., and from 9:30 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral service on Wednesday, June 10 at Union Center Church of the Brethren. Rev. Frank Ramirez and Rev. Rhonda Dorn will officiate.

Burial will follow at Union Center Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to The Galilean Children’s Home (712 South Fork Church Road/P.O. Box 880, Liberty, KY, 42539).