Jack Abbotts Carter was born in Texas, the only son of Lancelot and Evelyn Carter on January 24, 1936. He had one older sibling, his sister Mary. Jack spent a lot of time with his maternal grandparents and particularly loved his grandmother’s home-style southern and German cooking; banana and coconut cream pies, chicken and dumplings, rivles, and mustard greens were some of his favorites. His family moved to Denver when Jack started high school. He blossomed under some of his high school teachers and developed a strong interest in math and physics as well as tennis. Graduating high school in 1954, he went on to Colorado State University to earn degrees in Mathematics and Pre-Engineering. After working at Stanley Aviation, he felt a call to teaching and returned to school at Denver University for a master’s degree in business. He married Judy McCoy on January 24, 1958 and she worked as a church secretary while Jack finished school. His first teaching job was at Littleton High School. He loved teaching and spent long hours before and after school in preparation. When he wasn’t teaching or involved at church, he and Judy were in the mountains; hiking, skiing, fishing, hunting and jeeping. Their first child, Christie, was born on December 8, 1963. Jack’s beloved mother died suddenly within the year. His son Scott was born March 13, 1965 and both children were included in all of the family activities. Summers were a time to enjoy the Rocky Mountains and the Carter family was rarely indoors. Jack craved adventure, activity and challenges. He pursued his interest in flying and became a licensed small aircraft pilot. He started a vending machine business which involved the whole family after school; filling the machines with candy and sorting and counting the coins. One winter, on a snowmobiling outing with two friends: Dave Sigafoos and Irv Graves, there was an accident. They fell into a stream that had been covered over by the deep, fresh snow. The snowmobiles wouldn't start back up - too much water got into the engines. Irv and Dave were injured. Jack went out into the forest, on foot, at night to find help. Frost bite was settling in for both men. After walking for 10 miles Jack found an open road and was able to flag down help. Tennis continued to be an important pursuit and when he moved to the new high school, Heritage, he was both the chair of the math department and the head tennis coach. Their third child, Kellie, was born on April 28, 1970. The summer after Kellie was born, the Carters took a two week vacation following the Rocky Mountains north. They immediately fell in love with the Flathead Valley in Montana. Seven years later they decided to buy a 165 acre farm there (no, neither Jack nor Judy had ever farmed before.) The community was incredibly welcoming and helpful to the novice farmers. The Leightys, dairy farmers 15 miles south, would drive their specialized farm equipment up and down the valley for the Carters to borrow. Eventually Jack decided that the farm, although beautiful, wasn’t a good fit for his driver personality. Crops failed and most of the 40 head of cattle got sick and died. He sold the farm to the owner of the San Francisco 49ers and bought a local athletic club in 1979. The Court Club, as he later named it, was a great fit for his desire to develop a successful business. He added 4 racquetball courts, 2 indoor tennis courts (the first in the Valley) and a full gym, track and aerobics area. The only other athletic club in town had no courts at the time and was owned by Phil Jackson (yes, the now head coach of the Lakers.) He continued to be very active in church, as treasurer, board member, Sunday school teacher and youth group leader. In 1988 Jack felt the itch to return to his first love, teaching. Christie and Scott had just graduated from Azusa Pacific University. Henry Gee, then Assistant Director of Student Life had been instrumental in Scott coming to APU and getting a tennis scholarship. He called Jack to let him know that there was a math position open that he thought he should pursue. Jack and Judy sold the club and moved to Azusa in August, 1988. Jack joined the APU faculty teaching math, physics and pre-engineering. The union of academics and faith was a perfect match. He later became the head tennis coach. Judy worked in the counseling and career center. She and Jack had lunch together every day and were often seen holding hands as they walked through campus. Judy, who had survived aggressive treatment for cancer at age 47, died in a car accident on August 15, 1992, she was 52. Jack faced life head-on, continuing to teach and coach tennis. Then he met, Virginia (Ginny) Churchill, who also worked on campus. They started dating, Jack loved her kids; Steve, Melissa, Mike and Andrea and grandson, Austin, right away. Jack and Ginny married in the Prayer Chapel on campus January 1, 1995. In the coming years, Jack would continue to play tennis regularly, teaching Ginny to join him. He taught in the High Sierra program, mentored his students, continued his fishing adventures and pursued professional and spiritual growth. In the 16 years that Jack and Ginny were married, they welcomed 12 more grandchildren; Elanor, Greysen, Finlay, Ethan, Bryce, Charlotte, Evan, Lawson, Keaton, Sammie, Kendall and Hazel. Jack loved each one, taking them for bike rides, fishing, teaching dice games and crazy 8s and treating them to ice cream. When Jack was diagnosed with advanced non-smokers lung cancer in May 2009, he didn’t let it stop him. He continued to teach and play tennis through many treatment regimens. His collection of hats grew during this time as he didn’t like losing his signature silver hair. Trusting God that He is faithful, Jack continued to fight the good fight until the very end. His family was blessed to be able to care for him at home. He was blessed to have Ginny by his side until his passing to God’s eternal glory.