Michael Joseph Carter

Michael Joseph Carter, 58, passed away peacefully with family and friends at his side on April 28, 2021, at the Community Hospice & Palliative Care, Douglas Center for Caring in Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville. He was born on May 21, 1962, to Joe and Alberta Strickland Carter in Fernandina Beach, FL. He graduated from Fernandina Beach High School in 1980, where he played baseball. He joined the United States Air Force in 1981 and proudly served his country as an Aircraft Pneudraulic System Repairman holding the rank of Sergeant prior to his Honorable Discharge in 1987. After returning home from serving his country, he started his 30-year career, as he would say, making electricity. He was employed by Seminole Kraft Corporation (West Rock) as a Boiler Operator and Assistant Crew Leader in the Power House from 1987 to 1994. He then moved on to work at Cedar Bay Generating Plant under approximately 5 different owners over the 23 years he was there. He started as a Plant Operator in Zero Discharge and advanced to Control Room Operator prior to the plant being shut down in 2017. He worked a couple of short-term jobs, never being able to find the right fit after Cedar Bay Plant was shut down.

Michael was a past member of the Albert J. Russell Lodge # 126 of the Free and Accepted Masons, where he raised to the degree of Master Mason in 1995, as well as a past member of the Scottish Rite 32nd Degree Mason and the Morocco Temple Shrine.

 Michael was a quiet man and lived an uncomplicated life. He was a hard worker. He had a great sense of humor that was somewhat mischievous in nature. He was kind and generous. He enjoyed fishing, Florida Gator football, a good baseball game, taking the scenic back roads instead of the highways on road trips to get a glimpse of small towns and nature, his morning drives to the end of Cedar Point Road, watching cooking shows, and Andy Griffith on TV, watching the wildlife in his back yard, seeing a dog with his head out of a car window enjoying the ride, a good oyster roast on a cool night, and a cold Bud or two…

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, father, brothers, Thomas (Tommy) K. Carter and Dennis Wayne Carter; brother-in-law, Stephen Mead, and canine companions, Sunny and M.J.’s Zacharius Carter (Zach).

He is survived by his loyal and loving wife of 29 years, Sheila Mead Carter; his mother, sisters, Gayle Sikes (Jack), and Faye Carter, all of Fernandina Beach, FL; nephews Jason Carter (Shawna), Joey Carter (Stacy), Christopher Carter (Amber), Robbie Pollum (Dorothy), Joey Mead (Laura), and Cory Mead (Jessica); nieces Kim Sikes Simpkins (Bryan), Michelle Sikes, Marlenea Carter Hamm, Misty Carter Sherwood, Eva Pollum, Christine Stahl (Alex), and Stephanie Ira; brother and sisters-in-law – Jim Mead (Susie), Deborah Carter, Diane Pollum (Bob), Jennifer Mead, Kathy Cox (Drew), Martha Ira, Janie Knudsen (Randy); 9 great-nephews, 13 great-nieces, many extended family
members, best friend Gregg Williams, and several close friends.

A visitation and funeral service will be held on May 12, 2021, at Cedar Bay Funeral Home, 405 New Berlin Road, Jacksonville, FL 32218.  The visitation will be 10:00 am – 11:00 am with the Funeral Service to follow at 11:00 am, officiated by Pastors Bryan Simpkins and Aaron Bell. Burial service will follow at the Jacksonville
National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, FL 32218 with Military Honors.
Pallbearers – Jason Carter, Joey Carter, Christopher Carter, Tony Locklear, Billy Nelson, & Bob Pollett.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Michael’s honor to the Jacksonville Humane Society, 8464 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32216 and/or B.E.A.K.S., Wildlife Rehabilitation Sanctuary, 12084 Houston Ave., Big Talbot Island, FL 32226.

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