Francis Carter

Life-long Burlington resident, Francis Lee Carter, passed away Monday, October 20th, 2014, after a long illness. Francis was born south of Burlington on August 5th, 1934 to Roy Asa and Viola Gladys Carter (nee King). He was the 9th of 11 children. From very early on, he was known as Mugs. He led a pretty typical young life in Eastern Colorado, full of horses, running around and hard work. He got his first job working in a restaurant at the age of 15. He joined the Colorado National Guard on December 15th, 1952. Between cooking in restaurants and being a mess sergeant he had over 50 years of cooking good food for a lot of people. Francis met the love of his life, Elna Gay Martin, when he was 21 and Elna was 17. They were married September 4th, 1956, three days after Elna’s 18th birthday, in McDonald, Ks. After being married for only one month, Francis and Elna moved to Denver, and then on to San Bernardino, Ca to find work. While in San Bernardino they had their first child on December 25th, 1957. They named him Darrell after Francis’ best friend. They moved back to Burlington, where they welcomed their second son, Delmar, on November 24, 1960. Francis was called to active duty in October of 1961due to the Berlin Crisis. The family moved to Camp Carson. While stationed there, their third child, a daughter they named Erva, was born on July 8th, 1962. When Francis was released from active duty in August 1962 the family returned to Burlington, where Francis went to work for George and Frances Carper at Carper’s Café. He cooked at the Café for 20 years. During this time Francis and Elna were blessed with another son, Darren, on January 17th, 1969 and their daughter, Darla was later born September 24, 1974. When the Café closed its doors, Francis went to work at what is now known as the Western Motor Inn where he worked for 18 years. He then went to work at the Burlington Inn for Lloyd and Betty Spencer for 12 years. Francis retired from the National Guard on September 30th, 1973 and was Honorably Discharged with Meritorious Honors. In 1998, when his daughter Erva and her husband opened a restaurant, Eastern Plains Cafe, he planned to enjoy a semi-retirement by going to work for them. It was at Eastern Plains that he worked closely with his wife, children, and taught his grandchildren how to cook and run the restaurant. In the final years of his life Francis enjoyed spending time with his 20 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. He could often be seen around town at any one of their many activities. Francis is survived by his sons: Darrell Carter of Burlington, Delmar Carter of Lyons, Ks, & Darren Carter of Florence, Co, and his daughter Darla McClellan (Aaron) of Burlington, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Iven Carter of Fontana, Ca and an extended family of nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife of 50+ years, Elna Gay Carter, his daughter, Erva Carpenter, a daughter-in-law, Twila Carter, his siblings, Max, Floyd, Leon, Richard, Raymond, Emma, Audrey, Lois. Francis was quickly followed by his brother Robert’s passing three days later.