Mourners were greeted to the bagpipe music song Amazing Grace and farewelled an extraordinary and amazing man in James (Jim) Carter of Corowa on Monday.
The Corowa identity passed away on October 10, just 12 days short of his 94th birthday.
Monday’s 45-minute funeral service was conducted by Branch Manager of Tobin Brothers Funerals Anthony Jones, at St Andrew’s Church Corowa. Family members also spoke at the service, led by son Trevor.
Jim Carter was born in Brunswick on the 22nd of October 1928. He was the eldest child of Fred and Jessie Carter and brother to Margaret and Judith (deceased).
Jim met Betty Brockwell in 1950 at a local dance. Six weeks later they were engaged and set off on a lifetime adventure marrying in 1954 raising three children: Trevor, Glen and Peter.
Jim loved motor cars and the motor industry which saw him working for Repco Auto Parts in Melbourne. He started from the ground floor and worked his way through the organisation to become a senior manager in the supply department.
Jim could turn his hand to anything and enjoyed all things building or mechanical. With Betty’s support they built their first home in the early 1950s at Box Hill.
One of Jim’s passions was travelling and caravanning. In their caravan the family enjoyed many adventures and holidays.
In retirement Jim and Betty continued their love for travelling overseas to many countries. They also enjoyed caravanning throughout Australia making many wonderful friends and memories.
In retirement Jim and Betty moved to Corowa and became part of the community while enjoying the country life. Jim became involved in many community and sporting groups including; Clean Up Corowa, Corowa Hospital Board, Probus Club of Corowa, Corowa Bowls Club and the 60 and over Bowlers group. His community involvement, which began in Melbourne, saw him honoured in so many ways.
Jim has had many wonderful experiences in life; however, the highlight of his life was family to which he was completely devoted. Most of all his greatest love was for Betty with whom he shared just short of 68 years of marriage.
Jim and Betty moved to Corowa in 1989 and immediately became an integral part of the community. Jim became involved in the ‘Clean Up Corowa’ campaign, taking on an executive position. He made such an impact that he was nominated for Citizen of the Year.
Jim was also a director of the Corowa Hospital Board for seven years, taking on the role of treasurer for that entire period. When the local board became absorbed by the Hume Hospital Board Jim became a member of the new organisation as board member and became involved in the operations of each of the ten hospitals.
Jim was a keen bowler and deeply involved in the Corowa Civic Bowls Club and, the 60 and over bowls group. He played 60 and over bowls from 1989 until a few years ago. He took on many roles including Group Delegate, Group Assistant Secretary, Group Secretary, Group Treasurer, Senior Vice President, and President. Jim was so highly respected that in 2015 the 60 and over Bowlers Group commenced a Jim Carter Bowls Day which is now an annual event.
Jim was a founding member of the Corowa Probus Club in 1990 and served as the Secretary, Treasurer and President of that club for many years. For his dedication and work for that club he was been awarded life membership.
While Jim has had many wonderful experiences in life the highlight of his life was family to which he was completely devoted. He was enormously proud of his boys and their partners, his grandchildren and their partners, and his great grandchildren.
Most of all his greatest love was for Betty with whom he shared just short of 68 years of marriage.
Corowa Civic Bowls Club President Lynton Ford first met Mr Carter in 1992, describing him as “an old-style gentleman”.
“Jim was part of the former bowls club and became president in 1995/1996,” Mr Ford said. “Together with some others, he backed us to set up a new club called the Corowa Bowls Club Inc in 1996 and had been involved ever since.
“He was involved in 60 and Over which is an Ovens and Murray region competition for men and subsequently had a day named after him.”
With his involvement in Probus, Corowa’s Robert Longmire described Jim as “a lovely, lovely man”.
Mourners left the church to John Williamson’s song ‘Flower on the water’ which included the line ‘Remember how we loved you’ which is what mourners wanted Jim Carter to hear from them.
After the service, mourners shared many great memories of Jim at the Corowa Civic Bowls Club.