Lee Russell Carter

At the age of 50, Lee Russell Carter of Lawrence, Mich. and Hampshire, Ill., was taken to be with the Lord. Like many events in Lee's life, it was unexpected, fast, and completely on brand. He passed away of a heart attack at home with his loving wife of almost 16 years, Stacy.

Lee was born in Evansville, Ind., and was a graduate of Hampshire High School and the Rock Valley College in Illinois. He pursued a career in welding and attained with high honors his MIG and Arc welding certification.

In Lee's early days, he lived an exciting, full-throttle life. A welder by trade and a pilot since the age of 17, he spent his days either making sparks fly or flying well above the rest of us. He never met an engine he didn’t trust or a plan he couldn’t improvise. More recently, Lee had settled down to a quiet life in Michigan with his wife and two dogs. Lee had also been helping design and fabricate a specialized, patented physical therapy table and was just elected Vice President of his local EAA Chapter.

Lee possessed a generous heart and a personality that was sincere to the core. If he loved you, you knew it, and if you needed help, he was there for you. He was also passionate about his faith in Jesus Christ and looked forward to being with his Savior one day. We wish the day had not been so soon.

He will be deeply missed, fondly remembered, and forever blamed for the chaos, laughter, and love he left behind.

Lee is survived by his wife, Stacy (Field) Carter; mother, Janette Carter; four siblings: Shawn Carter, Philip (Linda) Carter, Michael James (Kendra) Carter, and Jennifer (Steven) Rothstein. Lee was preceded in death by his father, David Carter.

A celebration of Lee's life will be held in March 2026 at a time and place to be decided where friends and family can share stories and remember the joy and excitement Lee brought into the world.

In lieu of flowers, and because Lee's passing was so sudden, the family asks that donations be made to a GoFundMe (https://gofund.me/c2165f0cb) established to help Stacy with interim expenses as she navigates life without her favorite pilot, partner, and best friend.

Fly high, Leeper. May the Lord bless you and keep you and may His face shine upon you and give you (and us) peace.

Donations:
Stacy Carter (for Interim Expenses)
Web: http://www.gofund.me/c2165f0cb/