Retired Port of Mobile SIU Port Agent David M. Carter passed away June 24 in Nixa, Missouri. He was 76.“Dave was a rock-solid union guy,” said SIU Vice President Gulf Coast Dean Corgey. “He was true blue SIU all the way up until the end.
“Dave ran a very efficient port in Mobile and had an untarnished reputation as a real fighter for our members,” Corgey continued. “He was not only a wonderful person, but also a great individual to work with. We all will certainly miss him a great deal.”
“The union has lost not only a great person but an avid labor advocate,” said Ed Kelly, port agent in Mobile, Ala. “Dave and I worked together for about nine years and I replaced him when he retired. Transitioning into his position was very effortless … a real testament to how efficient he was and the type of operation he ran.
“Dave was a true believer in the labor movement and worked hard to uplift and support everything the SIU stood for,” Kelly concluded. “Dave will definitely be missed.”
“In addition to being a staunch advocate and tireless worker for the union, Dave was a longtime personal friend of mine,” said SIU Assistant Vice President Gulf Coast Jim McGee. “We worked together on several beefs and there was never any doubt as to how loyal toward the SIU and its members he was…. I was very sad to see him go and I’m certain that he will be missed by the union.”
Born in St. Louis, Brother Carter was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps who served during the Korean conflict. He joined the SIU in July 1976 in Mobile and was employed primarily in the inland division where he sailed aboard Hannah Marine and Crescent Towing vessels. Carter worked in all three shipboard departments and upgraded his skills at the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education in 1978.
He came ashore in 1979 and thereafter served stints as patrolman in the ports of St. Louis and New Orleans. Carter also held the post of safety director in St. Louis and Mobile. He became port agent in Mobile in July 1990 and remained in that post until his retirement in June 1999.
Brother Carter was preceded in death by his wife, Delia. He is survived by two sons, George Carter III and David Carter Jr.; two daughters, Toni Ballard and Linda Allen; five grandchildren, one great grandchild and a host of other relatives and friends.
Memorial services were conducted June 28 at St. Catherine La Bourne Church in St. Louis.
Printer Friendly Page