Gerald “Jerry” Carter passed away on October 4, 2024 at Providence St. Joseph Hospital after a long battle with congestive heart failure.

Jerry was born on July 23, 1942 to Robert and Grace Carter in Shafter, California. He grew up with two brothers and a twin sister, and while his family moved around a lot, they stayed in Kern County and eventually settled in Tehachapi. After graduating from high school, Jerry moved to Humboldt County to attend Humboldt State University. While traveling to and from home via Greyhound buses, he met his future wife Ardith Meadows, another student at HSU, who was making similar trips to and from Glendale, California. It was love at first sight, and the two were married in Glendale on February 3, 1963.

The happy couple stayed in Humboldt County and started a family right away, giving birth to Karyn in 1964, Kathryn in 1966, and Steven in 1969. During this time, they also worked for Eureka City Schools. Jerry started out teaching typing at Eureka High School — not because he knew anything about the subject, but because he needed the job — and later transitioned to business education, which was more up his alley. After that, Jerry became an administrator for ECS, working for Eureka High School and Zoe Barnum, and helped guide ECS into the early years of the internet.

Jerry retired in 1996 and began focusing more on public service, especially after Ardith died of cancer in 2006. In 2010 he joined the Eureka Host Lions Club, eventually becoming its president, and he also assisted other non-profit organizations such as the Humboldt Grange (where one year he grew a beard so he could play Santa Claus for their Santa’s Workshop program) and the Salvation Army (where he regularly helped with their pancake breakfasts). Jerry even donated blood, surpassing the 13 gallon mark at the Eureka Blood Bank.

Jerry attended church every Sunday, starting at the First Christian Church and then moving to the United Congregational Christian Church (when the First Christian Church and the Congregational Church merged together). Jerry was a deacon for many years, and he contributed dozens upon dozens of cookies, cakes and dessert breads to church fundraisers and events. Jerry always enjoyed sitting with his friends and listening to Pastor Cindi Knox’s sermons.

Jerry loved talking to people. He made friends everywhere, he was always available to help or give advice, and he was genuinely interested in where people came from and what they wanted to do with their life. He also loved to tell people about growing up in Kern County, and how life was different in the ‘40s, including how the hospital bill for his birth came to $57.50, but only because his mother had twins and had to stay in the hospital for three weeks.

Jerry had numerous hobbies, including cooking, working with model trains, making puzzles, and rooting for the Dodgers — much to the chagrin of his many Giants-fan friends. He was always trying out new recipes, especially for cookies, and he kept tinkering with ideas for how to put a garden railway in his backyard, although sadly it never came to pass. He also spent a lot of time with his pet dog Bridget. He always made sure to bring her home a doggie bag when he went out to eat, and she in turn followed him around everywhere, until he finally went somewhere she couldn’t go.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Grace, his wife Ardith, his younger brother Bob, and his twin sister Cheryl, but he is survived by his older brother Ken and his three children: Karyn, Kathryn and Steven.

Arrangements are under the care of the Sanders Funeral Home in Eureka. A memorial service will be held on November 9 at 2 p.m. at the United Congregational Christian Church, 900 Hodgson Street, Eureka.

Contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to the United Congregational Christian Church, the Lions Club, or the worthy charity of your choice.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Gerald Carter’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.