Raymond E. "Ray" Carter, age 81, of Washington, Iowa, died Wednesday, July 24, 2013, at the United Presbyterian Home following a brief illness.

Celebration of life services will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday, August 9, 2013, at the United Methodist Church with Pastor Jim Stiles officiating. Visitation will begin noon Thursday, August 8, 2013, at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:30 Thursday evening. Masonic Lodge Services will be held 5:00 p.m. Thursday at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home. Interment will take place at Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington, Iowa. Memorials have been established for Hospice of Washington County, the American Cancer Society or the United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be sent for Ray's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com .

Ray was born August 9, 1931, in Washington, Iowa, the son of LeRoy and Helen (Dittmer) Carter. He graduated from Washington High School in 1949 and served in the Army Reserves for eight years. He was united in marriage to Carla Guther on June 14, 1953 in Des Moines, Iowa.
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Ray was a life resident of Washington, Iowa, having farmed north of Washington and later worked as a salesman at Marshall Furniture Company until his retirement in 1993.

He was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Washington where he served on the Investment Committee, was Chairman of the Finance Committee and had served as Chairman on the Board of Trustees. Ray was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Bethlehem Commandery and the KAABA Shrine. Ray served on the Washington City Council and was a member of Washington Noon Kiwanis where he held many executive offices and was past president of the club. He volunteered on the Washington County Cancer Board for 18 years and was responsible for organizing the Cancer Golf Group that plays various golf courses in southeast Iowa raising money for cancer research. He was an avid bridge player, an Iowa Hawkeye fan and a diehard Chicago Cubs fan.

He is survived by his wife, Carla Carter of Washington, Iowa; daughter, Cathi Hill and husband Dan of Washington, Iowa; son, Brian Carter of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; granddaughter, Abby of Kalona, Iowa; great grandson, Sevrin; great granddaughter, Ava; and one nephew, John Carter and wife Kim of Washington, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Robert Carter and sister-in-law, Phyllis Carter.