Louis E. Carter
Louis E. Carter passed peacefully in his home September 26, 2025 under the care of his family, neighbors and Hospice of Michigan. He was 99.
Louis (Poppy, Louie, Easy, Captain) was born August 2, 1926 in Orienta, Wisconsin, to Susan (Hoefling) and Fred A. Carter. He was delivered by the farmhand when the doctor did not show.
After graduation from Iron River High School in northern Wisconsin, he enlisted in the Navy. He served his country in World War II aboard LST 945, the Beachcomber, through the Pacific campaign ending in Okinawa, Japan.
After the war, he began his sailing career on the Great Lakes out of Duluth Minnesota. In 1949 a shipmate took him home for Christmas. It was there he met the love of his life, Lorene A. Cahoon. In two short weeks he asked her to marry. She said it was too early. They were married the next year after layup December 30, 1950 in Watertown, Wisconsin. They had a loving partnership that lasted over 57 years until her passing in 2008. Throughout their marriage, their home was a source of generous hospitality and fun for so many.
They moved to Rogers City in 1952 when a wheelsman job opened with the launch of the John G. Munson. In 1969 he became Captain of his first ship, the W. F. White. That summer the ship and crew rescued an Ohio family from their sinking boat on a stormy Lake Erie.
Always looking for a challenge, Captain and crew refurbished the wood work on the Myron C. Taylor and made the “wings” for the T. W. Robinson out of an old school bus. During the experimental “winter run” in February 1979, he piloted the John G. Munson through the windrows of Lake Superior, accompanying the Edwin H. Gott, which lost a rudder to the blue ice.
Louie was a skilled leather worker making everything from gun holsters to covers for bibles. He meticulously restored countless pieces of furniture. He was an astute stock picker and enjoyed great times with the 11th Frame Investment/Social Club.
In 1965, a foreign exchange student from Thailand joined the family. Wichai was one of countless others who through the years and to this day remember Louie and Lorene as “Mom and Dad.” “Aunt and Uncle” or “Grandma and Grandpa.”
The Captain retired in 1984 and moved to Cedar Hedge Lake in Interlochen. He quickly became the overseer of the wildfowl, especially trumpeter swans. He was the Poppy who could fix anything to his grandchildren. He was known for his yogurt pancakes and baking cookies for the neighbors. He enjoyed pheasant hunting many seasons over with his German shorthaired pointer, Bella.
Louie appreciated hard work, a good book, a good joke, fine whiskey, dry martinis and a rare steak. His was a long life well lived.
The family would like to thank the many Cedar Hedge neighbors who helped him live independently in his home, treating him like family by sharing food, rides, newspapers, books, coffee time, their dogs and children with generosity, friendship and
Louis is survived by his children, Neil (Mary) Carter and Eileen (Kevin) Larr; grandchildren, Elizabeth Carter, Daniel (Krista) Carter, Peter (Abby) Larr and Heidi (Salvador) Chavez; great-grandchildren, Simeon and Eliana Carter; and Petra and Salvador Lee Chavez and Wichai Locharoenrat and his family.
Per the Captain’s last request there will be a very short service and a long wake in his memory at his home October 11 from 4-6 p.m. He will be laid to rest at the Brundage Wilderness Cemetery.
Memorials may be directed to the MPN Research Foundation or the American Cancer Society.
