Jon Wendell Carter, 89, of Merrimack, NH, passed away unexpectedly on April 13, 2026.

Jon was born in Nashua, NH, on January 3, 1937, to the late Yvonne and Charles Carter. He was raised in Merrimack and graduated from Merrimack High School in 1954. In high school, he played varsity basketball for the Merrimack Tomahawks.

Jon then served in the United States Army for three years. He was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska, with the United States Army Alaska Defense Command, where he spent most of his military career. He loved telling stories about his time there. One that stood out was about walking out on the ice and seeing cracks so wide a truck could fall into them. Jon was a very proud veteran and had many Army hats that he cherished. You would rarely see him without one—especially his Army hat featuring a polar bear head with a star.

After his time in the military, Jon worked as an electrician at Nashua Corporation for 40 years, until his retirement in 1999.

Jon was a great man of many qualities. He was a protector and was always there for his family when they needed him. He was also very caring and generous—the kind of gentleman people admired. He would open doors and always escort others to their cars. Jon consistently went above and beyond for his family and friends, always putting them first. But most of all, he was a jokester. He loved pulling pranks and was known for his funny, offhand sayings, such as, “I put my mother in a nursing home but didn’t remember which one.”

Jon created many wonderful memories through camping, boating on Lake Winnipesaukee on weekends, and spending many years snowmobiling. It all started with his first snowmobile, a 1969 Ski-Doo Olympic. He later became a member of the Merrimack and Amherst clubs for many years. He also loved attending car shows and would bring his street rods. You could often find Jon at the Budweiser plant every Sunday—walking to the horse stalls, drinking coffee, and smoking his “skinny” cigars.

Along with his parents, Jon is predeceased by his two brothers, Paul “Buddy” Carter and Carlton Carter; and his three sisters, Lorraine Hall, Madeline Fuller, and Virginia Payne.

Jon is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Marion (Stinson) Carter; his three children, Susan Laflamme, Alan Carter, and Patricia Coryea and her husband, Tom; his four grandchildren, Erik Laflamme and his wife, Joanna; Ryan Laflamme and his girlfriend, Tania; Chase Carter; and Jamie Sue Hutchins and her husband, Jamie; two great-grandchildren, Lando and Lewis Hutchins; and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 12:00 PM at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, located at 110 Daniel Webster Highway in Boscawen, NH.