Carter, Clement (Dean)

Dean Carter, beloved husband, father, grandfather, Professor Emeritus, Virginia Tech, died peacefully at home in Blacksburg on May 2, 2013, with his wife of 62 years, Rosina McDonnell Carter, at his side. He was born on April 24, 1922, in Henderson, N.C. He was predeceased by his parents, Mary Clegg Goodrich Carter and Clement Dean Carter; by his sisters, Jane Clegg Carter and Mary Arrington Carter Thurston, and by his infant daughter; Mary Lewis Carter. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Frances Carter Stephens and spouse, Nicholas C. Stephens, Katharine Carter Kerrane and spouse, Kevin Kerrane, Clement D. Carter and spouse, Georgia Branscom Carter, James Thomas Carter, and Mary Carter Farrell and spouse, Francis Farrell. He is survived by eight grandchildren, Patrick Carter Kerrane, Michael McDonnell Kerrane, Katharine Jean Carter, William Dean Carter, Jessica Michelle Carter, James Thomas Carter Jr., Paul Carter Farrell, and Elizabeth Eileen Farrell. He studied at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, D.C. After serving in the Army Air Corps in India, Burma and China during World War II, he received a B.A. from American University and an MFA from Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind. In 1948 and 1949, he studied in Paris with the sculptor, Ossip Zadkine. Carter taught sculpture, drawing, and art history at Virginia Tech from 1950 to 1992 and founded the Art Department. A sculptor who worked in wood, clay, stone, and welding, Carter’s work has been exhibited throughout the United States. In 1988, the Museum of Western Virginia in Roanoke mounted a retrospective of his work. In 2007, his work was exhibited at Virginia Tech to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Art Department’s founding. His most recent show was in March 2013. Entitled “Figurative Landscapes” it was part of a series highlighting the School of Visual Arts emeritus faculty’s art as a way to celebrate the College of Architecture and Urban Studies’ 50th anniversary. In 1992, together with his wife, he established the Dean and Rosina Carter Scholarship, given to outstanding visual arts students in their junior year at Virginia Tech. Over 50 students have been awarded funds through this scholarship. Carter said he benefited during his career from others’ generosity and wanted to give talented undergraduates similar opportunities. Remembrances may be given to Blacksburg United Methodist Church Music Ministry or to the Dean and Rosina Carter Endowed Art Scholarship, Virginia Tech Foundation, Blacksburg, VA 24061. Funeral services will be at Blacksburg United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. on Monday May 6, 2013, with the burial following at Westview Cemetary. Vistitation will be Sunday May 5, 2013 from 4 to 6 p.m. at McCoy Funeral Home.