Michael Benjamin Carter

Michael Benjamin Carter, of Thornton, age 40, passed from his earthly home in Thornton, into his Heavenly Home, on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, while surrounded by his loving family. 

Visitation will be on Thursday, August 11, 2022, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 12, 2022, at Central Baptist Church of Thornton, with Rev. Tracy Sims and Rev. Shannon Kilpatrick officiating.    Burial will follow in Thornton Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Justin Adams, Jimmie Moore, Mike German, Clarence Bodiford, Chad Hendley, Shane Hendley, Michael McCaleb, and Rocky Mortimer.

Honorary pallbearers are J.T. Carter, Steve McCafferty, Neil Brotherton, Willie Neal and Jeremy Owen.

Michael was born July 27, 1982, in Anchorage, Alaska to John Benjamin Carter and Sue (Kinser) Carter, while his father was stationed there in the military.  The family later moved to Texas, and he attended Groesbeck schools from first grade though his graduation in the Class of 2000.    In high school, Michael played football and participated in FFA, where he won Grand Champion with his turkeys and chickens.

After graduation, he attended Navarro Junior College, until deciding he wanted to be a truck driver.   The majority of his career was driving for 3B Dozer out of Bremond, and he turned down long-haul driving so he could be home with his wife and kids at night.  He could expertly handle a truck, and his employer said customers requested him for their loads as they trusted his driving skills. 

Michael was united in marriage with Barbara Gale Owen on April 8, 2006, in Thornton, after knowing each other all through their school years, and being a couple since the end of high school.

Michael was an avid Texas Longhorn fan, and wanted everything to be orange, even to their wedding being in burnt-orange and white.

Michael and Barbara made their home in Thornton, where they raised three children.  He was an involved father, coaching the boys Peewee football and when they were older, he taught them how to weld.  He taught his daughter, how to “not take any crap off anyone.” 

He loved hunting and fishing with his Dad and brother while growing up.   He brought home the results of deer hunting to eat (but he was outshot a few years ago when Barbara got a bigger buck, than he did), and he enjoyed local fishing his granddad’s pastures.

 The most important thing Michael taught his kids was his own ethic of “doing unto others as you would have them do unto you.”   He was truly a person who would help anyone with anything needed and made good friends while helping neighbors.    He was also very involved with his nieces and nephews, having them at his home every weekend, and he had a special bond with the youngest, Gatlin, who was his “little buddy.”  Michael was a member of the Central Baptist Church of Thornton.  

Michael was preceded in death by his mother, Sue Kinser; paternal grandparents, Bill and Deloris Carter; father-in-law, Gary Owen; sister-in-law, Sheri Owen and his uncle, David Carter.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Carter of Thornton;  son, Peyton Wayne Carter of Thornton; son, Joseph Raye Favors of Thornton; daughter, Paige Michelle Carter of Thornton; father and stepmom, John and Julie Carter of Thornton; mother, Lisa Smith of Robinson; and nieces and nephews.  His extended family includes his grandparents, Bill and Elizabeth Neason of Thornton; mother-in-law, Pat Owen of Thornton; brothers and sisters-in-law, J.T. and Cambria Carter of Arkadelphia, AR and Jeremy and Autumn Owen of California; sister and brother-in-law, Chelsea and Steve McCafferty of Conroe; brother, Christopher Pihlgren of Massachusetts; and grandmother, Lillie Kinser of Logan, WV.