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Frederick J Carter

South Holland, IL, USA

September 26, 1946 - November 29, 2019

Sep 26, 1946 - Nov 29, 2019

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Frederick (Fred) Jesse Carter was born September 26, 1946 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi to the late James Carter and Gladys McGee Carter. Fred was born a twin. His twin sister lived a few short hours, leaving Fred to be raised as an only child. Frederick Carter transitioned to eternal life on the morning of November 29, 2019. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister.

As a child, Fred was full of unbridled curiosity and intellect. The wise and disciplined guidance of his parents, his mother, an elementary school teacher, and his father, a school principal, gave him a strong foundation. This foundation set the stage for high achievement, a good work ethic, and a desire to make a difference in the lives of others. His parents nurtured his faith life and instilled in him a love of the Lord and a devotion to the church and community.

He enjoyed a loving childhood with many family gatherings of cousins and other relatives. He was proud of his Mississippi roots and credited that upbringing for his incredible “green thumb.” In his earlier years, he created small tomato and herb gardens and continued that practice into his retirement years.

Fred Carter attended L. J. Rowan High School in Hattiesburg. Upon graduation, he was accepted into Xavier University of Louisiana where he pursued and completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy. At commencement, Fred was awarded the McKesson Outstanding Pharmacy Leadership Award.

It was at Xavier University that Frederick met the love of his life, Joyce Johnson, a classically trained mezzo-soprano from Mobile, Alabama who was pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music. Fred and Joyce married in Mobile, Alabama in 1970 and remained happily married for forty-nine years. After marriage, they moved to Chicago where Fred began his career as a pharmacist and Joyce began her career as an educator.

To their union was born their two beloved children, Jocelyn, a physician in Boston, and James, an investment banker in Chicago. Fred and Joyce were incredibly proud of their children and loved them unconditionally. In 1975, they were delighted to find a church home at Saint Mark United Methodist Church where Fred became a Sunday school teacher during their children’s formative years.

Fred and Joyce were practically inseparable. Their love and enjoyment of one another was obvious to anyone who met them. They were best friends and cherished spouses. They enjoyed traveling to special places and spending time with their children. Fred was a hands-on father who not only provided guidance for his own children but also mentored their friends and other children in the community. He loved to talk, laugh, and spend time with family and friends. After he retired, he began cooking and enjoyed preparing holiday meals of turkey, ribs, gumbo, and numerous side dishes for the family. Joyce loved to say that he graduated in the kitchen from cooking the weekly Friday fish fry to assisting her on a full time basis.

Frederick Carter was a dedicated pharmacist registered in the State of Illinois for over 42 years. He worked both commercially and as a clinical pharmacist at Cook County Hospital for many years. After retiring, he continued to serve the community by becoming adjunct faculty at Malcolm X College where he taught pharmacology, medication compounding, and aseptic technique. He also instructed students at Malcolm X who were pursuing certifications as pharmacy technicians in an accelerated pharmacology course. He became a treasured mentor to many of his students.

Frederick was passionate about community service and civic engagement. One of the special joys of his life was serving multiple terms as president of the National Alumni Association of his beloved Alma Mater, Xavier University of Louisiana. He was a longtime member of the Chicago Inner Alumni Council/United Negro College Fund from which he received the National Alumni Council Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Award.

Fred was a dedicated member of the 100 Black Men of Chicago and greatly enjoyed serving as gala chair, treasurer, mentoring chair, and executive board member over the years. He was a charter member of the Delta Sigma Boule′ of South Suburban Chicago having once served as Sire Archon. He served as an executive officer of the Chicago Pharmacist Association Urban Health Advisory Council at the University of Illinois Chicago, and as a pharmacy preceptor for Chicago State University/ Midwestern College of Pharmacy.

Over the years, he received numerous awards and recognition including, the Chicago Defender’s Men of Excellence for Community Service, the Olympia College of Pharmacy Advisory Board Pharmacist of the Year Award, and Saint Joachim Parish Church Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award.

He also received the Distinguished Men of Illinois Award, which focused on the education of African Americans. His belief in the power of education was also recognized by the Chicago Xavier University Alumni Association, which established a scholarship named in his honor. He was proud of the students who received the Frederick J. Carter Scholarship to attend his beloved Xavier University in New Orleans.

Fred leaves to celebrate his life, his loving wife Joyce, and two children Jocelyn and James (Lisa) Carter, McGee cousins: Katie, Cynthia, Kendra, Lesleigh, and cousin Annie Carter Hooten. Additionally, he will be missed by Joyce and Fred’s sister in Christ Alexis M. Herman, his godchildren, along with many loving and dear friends.

Fred’s spirit will continue to live deep within the hearts and souls of his loved ones. His joyful laughter will always resound in our memories and his guidance will forever be a beacon in our lives. May he rest in eternal peace.

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