Gary Carter

Gary Carter was born in Jamestown, NY on March 11, 1949. His was a farm family and he grew up taking care of cows, and chickens and trying his hand at driving every kind of working machine that exists on a farm.

His early years working outside set him up for a strong career in sports in High School with an emphasis on football. He accepted the offer to play football at Penn State upon high school graduation and spent his next four years immersed in college football culture, a career which included many hours on the field as a defensive tackle and two Orange Bowls. He loved revisiting classic Penn State games online and enjoyed those games many times over.

It was at Penn State that he met the girl who would be his life partner for the next 56 years. Alexa Timko and Gary Carter were married on the campus they loved at the Eisenhower Chapel. She was 20 years old and he was 21.

Upon graduation, the couple set out to find teaching jobs and landed placements at the neighboring communities of Oswego and Fulton, NY. They quickly settled into their new home state, and Gary began teaching in the Oswego High School where he remained for the next 33 years.

Gary and his colleague, Mike Clyne, were especially proud of a course they developed called “Silver Bullets” which focused on helping teens develop good decision making, communication, and critical thinking skills in cooperation with others. The course was a favorite among students, and many former students reminisce about their class experiences to this day.

Throughout his life, Gary was dedicated to helping young people. He cared deeply about the students he taught and could name them, and recount class adventures many years after they happened. Gary was a careful observer of human nature and often turned his observations into stories and anecdotes which he willingly shared with others.

Gary loved being a father and was deeply involved in the lives of his children, Braelin and Travis. He was at the births of both and took part in every phase of their lives from early mornings (and late nights) at the hockey rink to braiding hair before each dance recital (and class… and rehearsal… and sometimes just for fun). Family summers were spent running wild through the country on countless camping, bike, and car trips; family game nights were a year-round fixture that he lovingly passed on to the next generation.

Gary is survived by his wife, Alexa and his children, Braelin and Travis, as well as their partners and children. His steady presence, carefully considered advice, and love of satirical science fiction will be missed by all - though we vow to keep quoting and punning in his honor, always. Gary’s positive and lasting impact on the lives of his family, friends, and community cannot be overstated. His was a quiet life but a life well lived - helping wherever he could, listening before speaking, and offering support to all those who needed it, in whatever way they needed it most. His family celebrates his life and invites all those who knew him to take a moment to remember and celebrate him as well.

A celebration of Gary’s life will be held at May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society 3800 East Genesee St. in Syracuse on Saturday, October 10, 2026.

Donations to honor Gary may be made to The CNY Food Bank or Planned Parenthood.

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