Tommy J. Carter, 75

Tommy J. Carter, of Whitefish, died July 11, 2006, in Kalispell. Tommy was born in Leadville, Colo., on March 27, 1931, to Thomas and Mabel Carter.

Tommy taught himself to ski at 16 years old, and was an extraordinary athlete. He was part of the early ski scene in Aspen in the late '40s and early '50s.

After his honorable discharge from the Army in 1953 and upon earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism at the University of Denver, he and his wife, Jean, returned to Aspen in 1959 where he coached the Aspen Ski Club and later worked for the Aspen Skiing Corporation. He was also a self-employed carpenter, freelance photographer and writer.

Tommy and his family left Aspen in 1978 for Red Lodge, where he worked as a journalist and carpenter. He moved to Whitefish in 1998. He carpentered for eight years up until his death, framing homes and businesses throughout the Flathead Valley.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and older brother, Jim.

Tommy is survived by his ex-wife, Jean; his older son, Sean, and his daughter Jill, both of Whitefish, and by his younger son, Michael, of Moab, Utah. He will be sadly missed by them all, and by his many friends, cousins, and co-workers who were amazed and moved by his vitality, humor, and work ethic.

His ashes will be spread in September in his favorite place at Conundrum Creek in Aspen. 'We know he will find peace in the mountains and valleys he cared for so profoundly.'

Please send memorials to the Humane Society of Northwest Montana, P.O. Box 221, Kalispell, MT 59903.