Leroy Carter

Frederick L. (Leroy) Carter Jr., a man who lived a life as deep and beautifully complex as the world around us passed away quietly on October 31st at the age of 91. Trying to summarize his life in a few words is like trying to count the stars, he would say that you could write an equation for that… but for the rest of us, a seemingly impossible task. He wore many hats in his lifetime, each of them with an unwavering sense of duty, passion, and grace.

To his country, he was a dedicated career Army Civilian, serving the Test Mission at Dugway Proving Ground with quiet dedication and a deep commitment to a cause greater than himself. To his community and his congregation, he was an ordained Episcopal Priest. He was a true shepherd who offered a sanctuary of grace, a listening ear, and a gentle heart to anyone in need of comfort, wisdom, or counsel. At Utah State University Tooele, he was a Math Professor who saw the world through the beauty of equations and logic, proving to a generation of students that even the most complex problems have a solution if you have the patience to work it. His family and friends knew well, this profound attention to detail and sharp focus also manifested itself through the passion for model railroading. A family-diagnosed case of “tinkeritis” kept him happily occupied for hours, building and meticulously modifying miniature steam engines and railroad cars. Yet, his love for structure and numbers have never hardened his spirit. Instead, it seemed to deepen his appreciation for the profound mysteries of faith and human connection.

What truly defined his essence though, was his boundless energy, lifelong love for adventure and sense of humor. Those who spent any time around him quickly came to appreciate his incredible dry sense of humor and his uncanny ability to sneak a witty remark into conversation almost without being perceived. He was a man who refused to let time slow him down, continuing to actively pursue his greatest passions thru the entirety of his life.

As the commodore of the Great Salt Lake Yacht Club, he was a lifelong sailor who knew how to navigate both calm waters and rough seas. His sanctuary on the water was his 30-foot sailboat, that he beautifully named Kairos. In Greek, Kairos means “God’s Time”, the sacred, perfect moment where the divine meets the human. For a math professor who spent his days measuring numbers, and a priest who spent his life serving the Lord, it was the perfect name. On the water aboard Kairos, wind filling the sails, he found that exact peace. He lived fully in God’s time, weathering every storm with steady resilience and helping everyone else around him chart their own course.

When winter arrived, he traded the open water for the snowy peaks… An avid, lifelong skier, he carved down mountains with the same joy and fearlessness in his later years as he did in his youth. Some of his happiest moments on snow were spent sharing this passion with his grandsons, Ty and Ridge, passing down his love for the winter mountains to the next generation and skiing alongside them well into his 80s.

As remarkable as his accomplishments and adventure were, they pale in comparison to who he was to the people who shared his life. He was a devoted husband, and loving brother, a loyal friend, and a trusted advisor. To my brother and I, he was simply dad.

To all, he is an example demonstrating how to love unconditionally, how to listen without judgement, and how to face life’s unknowns with a steady heart and an open mind. Leroy uniquely balanced the logic of mathematics with the mystery of faith, the discipline of selfless service with the freedom of the open water, and the serenity of church with the thrill of the mountains. He was our anchor when things were turbulent, and our compass when we lost our way. While he may have set sail on his final journey, the coordinates he left behind in the lives he touched will guide us for the rest of our days. Rest in peace Dad, your course on this earth is complete, but your light will continue to shine our hearts. “W67HY8 out”

Leroy is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Nancy; his sister, Della; his son Paul and his wife Irene, along with Josh and Laura; and his son Jeff and his wife Cathy, along with Ty and Ridge.

There will be a funeral service held on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., with a viewing prior from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., at Tate Mortuary, 110 South Main Street, Tooele, Utah. Friends and family unable to attend may watch the service remotely on Leroy’s obituary page at tatemortuary.com.

There is also a funeral Eucharist Service on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., at St. Mark’s Cathedral, 231 East 100 South, Salt Lake City, Utah.

In lieu of flowers Leroy would request that you consider donating to the Utah Food Bank instead.