David Carter

David D. Carter, age 81, renowned educator and mentor, music director and vocal performer, passed away in the early morning hours on Saturday, July 12, 2008 in his home in the presence of his wife of sixty years, Isabelle Carter. Mr. Carter succumbed to his one and one half year battle with leukemia. The 19th of 20 children, Mr. Carter was born in Newton, Georgia on May 4, 1927 to the union of Phillip and Ethel Odom Carter, his second wife. Mr. Carter graduated from Savannah State College in Georgia with majors in science and math. He later, however, fulfilled requirements at Bowling Green State University for his certification to teach music in the Toledo Public Schools System. To further his interest as a vocal artist, Mr. Carter took private vocal lessons in New Jersey, Bach Conservatory of Music, and the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio. A stellar baritone soloist, Mr. Carter performed at various churches throughout the city. Most notably, he was the cantorial soloist at the Temple Shomer Emunim for thirteen years. Additionally, he served over 40 years as the baritone soloist at St. Michael’s in the Hills Episcopal Church. David’s first assignment with Toledo Public Schools began in 1954 as a special education teacher. He formed a choir with his students which led to him being offered the music teacher position at Robinson Jr. High. David was transferred to Jesup W. Scott High School in 1962 where he served as director of choral music. During David’s nine year tenure at Scott, his choirs raised the bar in performance at the High School Choral Festival at the Peristyle of the Toledo Museum of Art. The highlights of the year’s choral performance were the annual May Festival presented by Scott High School’s entire music department held in the field house to a capacity crowd. Teaching assignments led David to Parkland Jr. High School in 1971 and Roy C. Start High School in 1972. At Start High School in 1975, Mr. Carter took his choir to Poland on a 23 day concert tour, gaining international notoriety. One of the performances was for the then Archbishop of Krakow who, three years later, became Pope John Paul II. Beginning in 1976, he served as Assistant Principal and Director of Activities at DeVilbiss High School, where he retired in 1981. In 1982, David took a second career teaching position at Blessed Sacrament School. Mr. Carter directed choirs at Phillips Temple CME Church, Third Baptist Church, All Saints Episcopal Church, and St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. He participated in the Kenneth Holland Chorus, was a founding member of the Toledo Opera Chorus, and directed the Mary Manse College Choir as well as many other performing groups. In 1971, David organized and directed the Afro-American Youth Choir. Mr. Carter’s longest legacy has been the David Carter Symphonic Choir founded in 1985. Originally organized as the Scott High School Alumni Choir, the choir opened its membership to persons from every stratum of Toledo and the greater Toledo area. The purpose of this choir was to provide community service though its musical offerings. As a community activist, Mr. Carter served as the music facilitator at the Frederick Douglass Community Center, director of Nubia in 1979, and served on the Board of Directors of the Boy Scouts of America. Mr. Carter has had a long and illustrious career in education and music which has had a dominant impact on the lives of his students. Mr. Carter was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity as well as Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity. He has received numerous awards. Mr. Carter was preceded in death by his parents and 18 of his siblings. Surviving are his wife, Isabelle Spaulding Carter, whom he married in 1948; sister Hattye Burns of Newton, GA, daughters, Deborah A. Carlisle (James) of Toledo, OH, Shari Mayer (Jon) of Arcadia, CA; grandchildren, Constance Glenn (Anthony) of Winchester, CA, and Phillip Carlisle of Toledo, OH, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. The family will receive visitors at the Dale-Riggs Funeral Home, 572 Nebraska Ave. on Thursday, July 17, 2008 from 4-8 p.m. A celebration of the life of David Carter will be held on Friday, July 18, 2008 at 10:00 AM at St. Michael’s in the Hills Episcopal Church, 4718 Brittany Rd. Internment at Ottawa Hills Memorial Park. The family wishes to extend its gratitude to the staff of Hospice N.W. Ohio and to the many friends and well wishers. Those wishing to make memorial contributions in David’s name are asked to consider: Toledo Public Schools Foundation for the David D. Carter Vocal Music Scholarship Award or St. Michael’s in the Hills Music Fund. Condolences may also be left for the family at www.dalefh.com.