Everett drug store owner was always there to help

Published 11:27 pm Saturday, February 16, 2008

The Fourth of July wasn’t celebrated with fireworks and a hot-dog barbecue for the Le Roy Joe Carter family in Everett.

He owned Carter’s Drug Store, open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. — every day of the year. If customers needed something, the Carter family was on hand to fill prescriptions and pass out first-aid supplies, including items to help those injured during holiday festivities.

The whole family worked holidays, said his son, Jim Carter. Customers would even come by ferry from Whidbey Island to get a prescription filled.

Through the long hours, the owner kept a cheerful attitude.

“I was in Carter’s Drug many times and he was so nice and helpful,” said Julie Hanner. “Any parent of a child who has an ear infection at 9:30 p.m. can understand how much the long hours mattered.”

Le Roy Joe Carter passed away Jan. 3 at his Everett home from rheumatoid arthritis.

He is survived by his wife of more than 61 years, Marilyn; children Jim Carter and Carol Starcher; and a number of grandchildren.

Carter was active in the community. His son said his father was the epitome of giving back. Le Roy Carter was president of the Washington State Pharmaceutical Association, an Elks Club member, a charter member of the North Everett Lions Club and “Lion of the Year” with 55 years of perfect attendance.

He was also on the board for the Snohomish County Council of Camp Fire Girls and the Mount Baker Council of Boy Scouts of America.

Carter retired in 1988. He enjoyed traveling, fishing and spending time with his grandchildren.

Carter was born Feb. 10, 1920, in Jamestown, N.D., to Josiah and Maude Carter. He graduated from the Minnesota School of Business and the pharmacy school at North Dakota State College. Carter joined the Navy in June 1942, and served in the South Pacific, in the Philippines and at the Okinawa invasion.

While his ship, the USS Tate, was being repaired in Everett, he met Marilyn Nowak when they went on a blind date, she said.

They were married June 1, 1946.

After Carter was honorably discharged from the Navy, he pursued his dream of owning his own pharmacy.

Carter’s Drug Store on Broadway was his first store; it opened in 1947. He also owned Tozer’s Pharmacy and the Owl Drug Store.

“He became the Walgreens and Rite-Aid of his time,” Marilyn Carter said. “Hospitals would call, before they had their own pharmacies, and ask us to stay open at night.”

His son said he filled more prescriptions for free than for profit. Carter was an easy touch for a poor family with sick children.

On Christmas, Le Roy Joe Carter’s mother-in-law would cook the holiday meal and bring it to the store in a big Dutch oven so it would stay hot.

The whole family at least got a meal together, even though they served customers between the turkey and pumpkin pie.

“My mother lived with us,” Marilyn Carter said. “She took him coffee in bed every morning. She thought her son-in-law was perfect.

“That says a lot,” Carter said.

Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451 or oharran@heraldnet.com.