Vondell Carter
July 1, 1936 ~ November 24, 2018
Col. Vondell Carter, USAF (ret)
Vondell Carter, or “Henry” to his family members, was born on July 1, 1936 in Vienna, VA., the youngest and sixth child of Lillian Brandt and William McKinley Carter.
On November 24th, the world lost a gentle man and a proud American. He had an outstanding civilian career with the U.S. Army as a Federal manager for 52 years and a military career for 30 years retiring as a Colonel with the U.S. Air Force Reserves. He served as Commander of Air Maintenance at Andrews Air Force Base and deployed to Japan for two years during this military career.
Vondell Carter’s family has a long and illustrious history in the integration of Vienna, VA. Considered the matriarch of the Carter family, Keziah Carter, a free woman, bought 50 acres of land near the first Fairfax County Court House for which she paid $300 in 1842, later known as Freedom Hill. Vondell’s father William McKinley was born in Vienna, along with his grandmother and great-grandmother. The Carters started the first library for black and white children in their home, when their children were refused books in the local library. Today, Vondell’s parents’ portraits are hanging in the meeting room in the Vienna library. The Carters were also involved in the desegregation of Louise Archer Elementary School and the purchase of land for the current First Baptist Church in Vienna, VA., where a chapel is dedicated to his father.
With this background, the precocious Henry entered college at 15 years of age at the St. Louis University where he majored in Aerospace Engineering and was inducted into the Pi Mu Epsilon, Honorary Mathematics Fraternity. He was also a Distinguished Air Force ROTC Military Student and graduated from the USAF Aircraft Maintenance Engineering School ranking first in his class. Vondell received his graduate education in the Master of Engineering Program at George Washington University. He graduated from the National Defense University, Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the Center for Excellence in Logistics and Technology. During both his civilian and military careers, he received numerous awards, commendations and medals. He holds a U.S. Patent in Fluidics and worked in the areas of Logistics, Airborne Research Engineering, Civil Rights, and Engineering & Science, among others. His decorations include the Air Force Legion of Merit, the DC NG Exceptional and Meritorious Service Award, the Army Commendation Medal and the Presidential Unit Citation and numerous civilian service awards.
Known by all as a gentle man and a gentleman, he was the epitome of a Renaissance man - cultured and sophisticated, intelligent, knowledgeable, educated and proficient in a wide range of fields. He counseled youth on educational opportunities and gave scholarships to many, along with advising men and women on financial matters. Foremost, Vondell was a family man and a loving son, brother, uncle, brother-in-law and husband. He married his wife Susan in 1997 at the Windows on the World in NYC after dating for many years between Washington, D.C. and N.J. They had a wonderful marriage that many do not achieve in their lifetimes. They have no children. He leaves behind his wife of 21 years who he adored, his sister-in-law Irene P. Carter, his nephews Warren and Hoyt Carter, his wife’s family members Carl C. and Tina Borre, and their children Austyn and Jaidyn, and many close and dear friends. .
The family will receive friends on Saturday, December 8th, from 2-2:30 PM followed by a celebration of his life at 2:30 pm at the First Baptist Church of Vienna, 450 Orchard St. NW, Vienna, VA. He will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors at a date to be determined.
In addition to flowers to the church, donations may be made out to the First Baptist Church for their College Connection Scholarship Fund. Online condolences and fond memories may be offered to the family at: www.moneyandking.com.
Vondell Carter, or “Henry” to his family members, was born on July 1, 1936 in Vienna, VA., the youngest and sixth child of Lillian Brandt and William McKinley Carter.
On November 24th, the world lost a gentle man and a proud American. He had an outstanding civilian career with the U.S. Army as a Federal manager for 52 years and a military career for 30 years retiring as a Colonel with the U.S. Air Force Reserves. He served as Commander of Air Maintenance at Andrews Air Force Base and deployed to Japan for two years during this military career.
Vondell Carter’s family has a long and illustrious history in the integration of Vienna, VA. Considered the matriarch of the Carter family, Keziah Carter, a free woman, bought 50 acres of land near the first Fairfax County Court House for which she paid $300 in 1842, later known as Freedom Hill. Vondell’s father William McKinley was born in Vienna, along with his grandmother and great-grandmother. The Carters started the first library for black and white children in their home, when their children were refused books in the local library. Today, Vondell’s parents’ portraits are hanging in the meeting room in the Vienna library. The Carters were also involved in the desegregation of Louise Archer Elementary School and the purchase of land for the current First Baptist Church in Vienna, VA., where a chapel is dedicated to his father.
With this background, the precocious Henry entered college at 15 years of age at the St. Louis University where he majored in Aerospace Engineering and was inducted into the Pi Mu Epsilon, Honorary Mathematics Fraternity. He was also a Distinguished Air Force ROTC Military Student and graduated from the USAF Aircraft Maintenance Engineering School ranking first in his class. Vondell received his graduate education in the Master of Engineering Program at George Washington University. He graduated from the National Defense University, Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the Center for Excellence in Logistics and Technology. During both his civilian and military careers, he received numerous awards, commendations and medals. He holds a U.S. Patent in Fluidics and worked in the areas of Logistics, Airborne Research Engineering, Civil Rights, and Engineering & Science, among others. His decorations include the Air Force Legion of Merit, the DC NG Exceptional and Meritorious Service Award, the Army Commendation Medal and the Presidential Unit Citation and numerous civilian service awards.
Known by all as a gentle man and a gentleman, he was the epitome of a Renaissance man - cultured and sophisticated, intelligent, knowledgeable, educated and proficient in a wide range of fields. He counseled youth on educational opportunities and gave scholarships to many, along with advising men and women on financial matters. Foremost, Vondell was a family man and a loving son, brother, uncle, brother-in-law and husband. He married his wife Susan in 1997 at the Windows on the World in NYC after dating for many years between Washington, D.C. and N.J. They had a wonderful marriage that many do not achieve in their lifetimes. They have no children. He leaves behind his wife of 21 years who he adored, his sister-in-law Irene P. Carter, his nephews Warren and Hoyt Carter, his wife’s family members Carl C. and Tina Borre, and their children Austyn and Jaidyn, and many close and dear friends. .
The family will receive friends on Saturday, December 8th, from 2-2:30 PM followed by a celebration of his life at 2:30 pm at the First Baptist Church of Vienna, 450 Orchard St. NW, Vienna, VA. He will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors at a date to be determined.
In addition to flowers to the church, donations may be made out to the First Baptist Church for their College Connection Scholarship Fund. Online condolences and fond memories may be offered to the family at: www.moneyandking.com.
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Mr. Carter truly was a BEAUTIFUL SPIRIT. He cared about helping others and making a difference. I will miss you Mr. Carter. I enjoyed our brief conversations. When he found out I had a niece who is an engineering major and a nephew pursuing medical school, he offered to write letters of recommendations for them and would always inquire about them. He sent them cards with words of encouragement and never even met them. I’m glad to have known Mr. Carter. He was an inspiration to us all and I will miss him and our brief conversations. Ms. Morris may you find comfort in the memories and who he was to so many.
My sincere condolences to the Carter family. Thank you for your support of the College Connection Scholarship fund at First Baptist. I did not know Vondell personally but I knew other members of the family at First Baptist. You all are a loving and giving family; a class act.
Henry it was such a pleasure knowing you and being able to help with Hoyt when I was in the area,Thank you for trying to get him here to Texas for a visit ,much love to all the family, and our deepest sympathy. Verla and Ronnie Honesty
My sincere condolences to the Carter family. I knew Colonel Vondell as a member of the District of Columbia National Guard family. may fond memories sustain you in the future.
I was a young Captain when I transferred from the Air Force to the DC Air National Guard. There were new roles and a new culture I needed to learn. Col Vondell Carter was my teacher — and he taught me VERY well. It was an honor to serve with him!
John B. Handy, Maj Gen (Ret), former commander of the DCANG
Met Col Cárter in 1999. He is real, kind, honest, smart and compassionate. A gift to all who knew him. You will be missed. We will meet in Heaven again. For now rest in the loving arms of our Lord.
God Bless Vondell Carter, he was truly the brother I never had. He always went out of his way to bring food to my mother that he cooked, or provide solid advice on matters of business and life. One thing was guaranteed , if you encountered Vondell and you were carrying something, he would always run over say “Do you need help?” While on this earth, he was truly dignified gentleman. Through his actions, he taught others how to treat each other and he lived by example. My family is honored to have been lucky enough to call him our friend and we are better people for having been in his presence.
We Love You Vondell,
The Bagdanove King Family
My deepest condolences and prayers to my family on the passing of my cousin Vondell. Though we only got to meet a few times, he was always so friendly and cheerful. I truly wish we had been able to share more time together. May the Lord in his grace give him rest after a life well served and done for the family and a grateful nation for his many faithful years of military service. Peace and blessings be with you as you become a treasured member of the Lord’s army of angels.
Gregory P. & Romanita Harrod, Sr. & Family
For the Family of the Late William W. Harrod Sr.