 |
|
|
|
Photograph courtesy of the Carter family
Alvin Raymond Carter is pictured here with his granddaughter Leanne Perry.
Carter, 83, Cupertino postmaster, fundraiser
By Michelle Ku
The life of Cupertino postmaster Alvin Raymond Carter was celebrated in a service at the Union Church on Friday. Carter died at his home in San Mateo after a long illness on July 11. He was 83.
Carter was Cupertino's postmaster from 1964 to 1979, a charter member of the Kiwanis Club, past president of the Chamber of Commerce and the city's Citizen of the Year in 1971. He was also involved in various community organizations and fundraising drives.
"His hand was always open to help others and his help was from the heart," said Barbara Rogers, who spoke at the service. "He was a very good postmaster. The mail was always delivered on time."
Carter was born in Cupertino on Feb. 8, 1916. He was a graduate of Fremont High School and attended San Jose State University. After graduating from UC-Davis in 1938 with a degree in horticulture, Carter began his 41-year career with the postal service at the Campbell post office.
Carter's postal career was interrupted in 1941 when he was drafted into the Army. He was part of the first draft out of Santa Clara County. Carter became a technical sergeant, but received a disability discharge in 1943 after being injured during Officers Candidate School.
After his discharge, Carter returned to the Campbell post office before being transferred to the Cupertino post office as first assistant postmaster in 1954. Carter was appointed postmaster in April 1964 and retired on Jan. 13, 1979.
When Carter was appointed to the post, postmasters were recommended by the Democrats, the group that controlled Congress. Carter was the first Republican ever appointed by the Santa Clara County Democratic Central Committee, said Marilyn Mello, Carter's daughter.
He was secretary of the Kiwanis Club for 17 years and was involved with the Crippled Children's Society camp. He was a longtime member of the Northwest YMCA and participated in Cupertino Community Services and the Cupertino Historical Society.
Carter loved the beach and loved playing poker once a month. He was a good poker player, but wasn't a very good loser. "He didn't think it was fair when he lost," Mello said. "It's ironic that he died on 7/11. I don't think I'll ever forget the day of his death."
Carter also had a special smile, Rogers said. "I miss his ready laugh and his special smile," she added. "Lots of people smile, but [Carter's] smile lit up the room and everything else."
Carter was married to Velma Marjorie Carter for 54 years. "He was truly devoted to [Velma] until the day he died," Mello said.
In the early years, Carter worked three jobs to provide for his family. In addition to working at the post office, he delivered newspapers and cleaned two banks in Los Gatos and Saratoga.
"My mother made my father a Santa Claus suit early in their marriage and he played Santa Claus for us and all of our children every year," Mello said. "He would come to the door and ho ho ho'ed. He gave us a present and then he left. I know that's something I will always remember and all eight of his grandchildren will too."
Carter is survived by his wife, Velma; son Gary Carter of Pasco, Wash; daughters Marilyn Mello of Half Moon Bay and Katherine Moore of Auburn; eight grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
|
|
|
|
Cupertino, California Since 1947
