Christopher B. Carter
Chris Carter passed away at the age of 60 on December 20, 2021 after bravely battling cancer for several years. He was born on April 6 th , 1961, and lived his life in Denver, Colorado. Chris is survived by his wife Teresa, his mother Sheila, his two older brothers Doug and Frank, and his sister Gina. His father Dr. Douglas B. Carter of Cherry Hills, and his younger brother Mike have passed on.
Chris graduated from Cherry Creek High School in 1979 and attended the University of Colorado- Denver. He started out pursuing a degree in physics and loved science and applied engineering, and early found enjoyment helping others to learn new skills. He finished with a degree in Fine Arts, spanning the range of his multiple life passions including art, classic cars, mountaineering and his wife Teresa!
He appreciated and created art throughout his life. His talents extended across several mediums, small and large: he created exquisite jewelry and welded tall indoor and outdoor sculptures. He played the Banjo. He enjoyed the local art scene and supported many local art shows across Denver.
One of Chris’s earliest passions was working on cars. Although Dr. Carter was a psychiatrist, he shared his interest and knowledge of auto mechanics and bodywork with each of his four sons to the point they all became expert classic car and motorcycle builders, though mostly for their love of the art rather than to make a living. Chris’s family had the know-how and the tools, and Chris in turn shared all of this with his friends. As a grade schooler, Chris first started building go-carts (his with a chromed body and a manual transmission which he entered in shows) and then he turned to cars.
Dr. Carter even started a car building business called Carter & Sons, and Chris included close friends as honorary employees decked out in Carter & Sons uniforms. Chris coached, helped and guided all his friends work on their cars. His house was the only one in Cherry Hills where the Snap-On truck made a regular stop. Chris later became a collector of cars, parts andprojects. He worked on innumerable cars for himself and his friends, with some of his favorites a ‘67 Chevelle, two ‘71 Cudas, a ‘66 Mustang and a ‘65 Sunbeam Tiger.
An avid athlete, Chris was passionate about the outdoors and loved doing anything in the mountains, hiking, biking, riding his dirt bikes, camping, wind surfing, skiing, and boarding. Though he didn’t play organized sports, he committed himself to lifting, working out and staying healthy to fully enjoy the outdoors.
Chris was a gifted mentor and had the empathy to teach others the skills and knowledge he gained from his avocations. He loved and was loved by his younger gifted students at a private school, and practiced his belief that one great key to teaching is patience. He would help anyone develop skills at building cars, art, or any of his mountaineering interests. He volunteered at Winter Park’s disability ski program. He invested the time to build up people’s self worth and was fun and trusted which enabled him to motivate others to pursue their dreams – both technical and artistic.
Chris found his soul mate in Teresa Wright twelve years ago, and they soon committed to one another because they shared the same passions and attitudes toward life. They married in 2014 and enjoyed sharing their activities and working on their new home. They fit together so well – Chris delighted in her company and was happiest when they were together.
Chris was a lifelong dog lover – his poodle Snoop misses him a lot -- and had a wonderful enthusiasm for life and for making the most of the people who were in it. Each of us who knew him will remember his thoughtfulness, great sense of humor, loyalty, and friendship. He preferred discussions, interaction, and the joy of building things together with his friends, and was deeply devoted to his wife, family, and friends. Chris was an exceptionally kind man who would do anything to help another. He was an incredible brother, son, uncle, friend and husband who is greatly missed.