Carter H. Compton

Carter H. Compton August 20, 1937 - February 15, 2011 Carter H. Compton of Waco, TX, passed away Tuesday, February 15, 2011 at home with family members by his side. Services will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 19, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel with Mr. Charles Daily and Mr. Bert Mercer officiating. Burial will follow at China Spring Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Friday, February 18, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey, Garden Room. Carter was born August 20, 1937, in Abilene, Texas, to Henry P. and Lorene Carter Compton. He graduated from Abilene Christian University in 1959 with a B.S. degree in marketing and psychology. After graduation he married Charlotte Sue Carter and they had five children. Carter was prominent in many insurance and civic circles receiving numerous awards and citations of accomplishment throughout his life. He began his career in 1959 as an agent in the Abilene office of Republic National Life. He and his family eventually moved to Dallas, the location of the company's main headquarters, where Carter ultimately became Republic National Life's president in 1977. An opportunity to serve as president of the National Group Corporation brought Carter and his family to Waco in 1978. From 1982-85 he worked as a Life Specialist for E. F. Hutton & Company. He was also Founder and Director of Compton Agency Corporation, Chairman of Compton Financial Inc. and Chairman of Compton, Wessler & Reid Inc. He was a member of both the National Association of Life Underwriters and the Million Dollar Round Table. Carter was an avid hunter and fisherman. For many years Carter enjoyed working on his Crawford farm and later his ranch in Merkel. His civic affiliations included the Medina Children's Home, March of Dimes, the American Heart Association and Optimist International. He served as an advisory board member of Abilene Christian University and as a national development board member of Harding University. He also served six years with the 36th Division of the Texas National Guard. Carter married Tanya Roberts Plemmons in 2004, and resided in China Spring. They were currently members of Lake Shore Church of Christ. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Tanya; three daughters, Kelly Livingston and friend, James Bonnett, of China Spring, Kathy Carroll of China Spring, Christy Embry and husband, Jason, of Boerne; two sons, Carter Compton II of Denton, and Clay Compton and wife, Catherine, of Alexandria, Louisiana; two step daughters, Cinnamon Plemmons of Waco and Ginger Plemmons of China Spring; stepson, Drew Plemmons of Waco; and ten grandchildren, Phillip Livingston, Ally Livingston, Travis Carroll, Meredith Carroll, Conner Embry, Carson Embry, Coy Embry, Victoria Compton, Luke Compton and Daniel Bufkin. Pallbearers are Phillip Livingston, Travis Carroll, Conner Embry, Carson Embry, Jason Embry, James Bonnett and Daniel Bufkin. Honorary pallbearers are John Wessler, John Erwin, John Erwin, Jr., Jim Holley, Paul Christensen and Moe Spradley. The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to Jake Flores, Paula Hale and Tamara Majors for their compassionate and loving care provided to Carter. Memorials may be made to Medina Children's Home, 213000 State Hwy 16 N, Medina, TX 78055. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com.