With heavy hearts but feeling blessed by his life, we announce that our husband, brother, father and grandfather Philip LaMar Carter passed away at his home in Kirkland as the sun was setting on the summer solstice, June 20, 2016. Phil was born in Bend, Oregon on September 19, 1941. After living in multiple places as a boy with his father Hal, mother Jan and sister Arlene (including Chicago and Cleveland), the Carters landed in Bothell in 1955. Phil attended Bothell high school, where he was the captain of the football team and homecoming king. He met his wife Katie during their freshman years in 1955. To the “surprise” of Katie’s parents Bob and Betty HasBrouck, Phil and Katie married on September 21, 1959, two days after his 18th birthday. They were married for 56 wonderful years. Phil attended the University of Washington, where he earned a degree in economics in 1963 and a law degree in 1965. After law school, Phil joined the Livengood firm in Kirkland. He practiced at that firm his entire career, serving as managing partner the last 20 years until his retirement in 2000. His law practice was marked by many notable accomplishments and he became a pillar in the community. He was most proud of his 33 years working with Evergreen Hospital beginning when he joined the planning commission formed to evaluate the need for a hospital in Kirkland as a 28 year old lawyer. He went on to be a founding member of not only the Hospital, but Evergreen Hospice and the Evergreen Hospital Foundation where he served as board President. His commitment to Evergreen culminated with receiving the Evergreen Community Service award in 2000. Phil was also an active member of Northshore Rotary throughout his career, and a founder of the Northshore Scholarship Foundation, which continues to provide college scholarships to Northshore students. Dad loved fishing and boating, Husky and Seahawks football, and hosting with Katie his family and friends on Maui and at Pearl Island in the San Juan Islands.
Family mattered the most to Phil, and he was the leader of his nuclear and extended family from the beginning. He was a lion of a man loved by his pride. The support and commitment shown by his children and grandchildren at the end of his life is a testament to the commitment he showed to all of them in their lives. Phil is survived by his wife Katie of Kirkland; sister and brother in law Arlene and Ron Tackett of Bucerias, Mexico ; daughter and son in law Ann and David Tillotson of Kenmore, son and daughter in law Robb and Bess Carter of Sammamish; son and daughter in law Charlie and Amy Carter of Seattle, and grandchildren Ellie, Carter and Jack Tillotson; Alex, Robbie and Sarah Carter; and Will and Caroline Carter. When they built you Phil, they broke the mold. In lieu of flowers, to honor Phil consider a donation to The EvergreenHealth Foundation at www.donate.evergreenhealthfoundation.com or 12040 NE 128th Street, MS#5, Kirkland, WA 98034.
Please join us on July 22nd at 2pm for a celebration of Phil’s life at Inglewood Country Club in Kenmore, WA.