Brian Lee Carter

Brian Lee Carter, age 59, from Pensacola, FL, passed away in Midland, TX, on Saturday, 05/09/26.  His desire was cremation, so a Service to honor him will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, 05/29/26, at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory.  There will be a Celebration of Life reception immediately following the service at The Branch at NPW, which is in the same parking lot.

Brian Lee Carter was born on 11/10/1966 in Pensacola, FL to William “Lawrence” Carter, Sr. and Carol (Hussey) Carter.  He was proud to be in the 8^th generation born in Pensacola through the Hussey line.  He loved music.  He joined the choir at Jim Allen Elementary School, in Cantonment, FL.  He stayed in the choir throughout his school years at Ransom Middle School and Tate High School (graduation class of 1985). He continued choir into college at Pensacola Junior College (PJC).  He graduated with his Associates of Science in 1991 from PJC.  He returned to school at the University of West Florida and obtained his Bachelors Degree in Anthropology, specializing in Maritime Archeology (shipwrecks) in 2002.

He met Loralyn at PJC through friends in the choir and theater in 1992.  It was instant attraction on both sides.  They married in 1993.  This year would have been their 33^rd anniversary.  They have one daughter, Kathryn L. Carter.

Brian began learning about fixing houses while working with his father on their 100-year old house out in Cantonment, Florida.  He began to work on the background sets for the theatre productions at PJC, which led to him obtaining full-time work from PJC, and eventually getting hired at the SMG/Ogden Facilities Maintenance position at the Saenger Theatre, the Bayfront Auditorium (which was destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2005), and eventually to the Pensacola Civic Arena.  He obtained his HVAC Certification and became the Refrigeration Engineer at he Pensacola Civic Arena, and focused on maintaining the Ice Plant (the equipment that makes the Ice Floor for the Hockey Rink) and even enjoyed running the Zamboni around the rink.  Eventually, he found a position at the Graphic Packaging International Inc (bag plant), in Cantonment, which was much closer to home. The plant eventually closed and shipped all the equipment off to other facilities in 2009.  He moved on to Jupiter Composites, and eventually, that facility also closed in 2012.

Then, a new opportunity arrived.  He interviewed and obtained the position in the Midland/Odessa area as Operations Manager at the new Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center.  He packed up and headed to Midland/Odessa in July 2012.  At that time, there was little housing available, so we purchased a travel trailer for Brian to stay in, until he could find suitable housing for the rest of the family.  Loralyn & Kathryn (along with our dog Molly and cat Loki) packed everything up and moved to join him in November 2012.  What an adjustment that was!  Brian enjoyed working with all the talented people at the Theatre and made lasting friendships.

After several years there, Brian moved to Cinergy Entertainment in 2016.  His boss often stated that Brian was in charge of everything in the building that did not breathe and some things that did.  Then, COVID-19 hit in 2020, and all entertainment jobs ceased.  He was eligible for unemployment and spent his time doing the best he could.  After all the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, he moved on to a position at Aimbridge Hospitality at the Marriott in Odessa, TX in 2021.  Then, he moved on to Elwood Staffing for C&W Services, who were contracted with Schlumberger at that time, to perform all the facility maintenance at their buildings.  He moved on to working at Hobart Services working on commercial food equipment.  Then, as coincidences happen, he landed the job at ChampionX [now merged with Schlumberger (SLB)] in 2023.  He was back to fixing everything except the people.  He loved that position, as he had multiple buildings to oversee and everyday held a different task.  He loved the work environment and the people.

All along, Brian made friends with his co-workers.  He missed the trees and water that was so prevalent in Pensacola.  So, his friends took him to the rivers and mountains nearby.  He was able to fish and hunt again.  Those memories were his favorites.  He enjoyed telling stories and enjoyed listening to them too.

Brian is survived by his wife, Loralyn (Bower) Carter and their daughter, Kathryn Carter.  He is also survived by his brother, William “Bill” L. Carter, Jr (Sharon), and sister-in-law Lani (Bower) Titus.  He has multiple nieces and nephews: Angel Carter Seyler (Ryan) and their daughter, Frankie, William “Billy” L. Carter, III, Melanie Titus, Cody Titus, Mary (Bower) Bailey (Jesse) and their children Owen and Eloise, and Cecil W. Bower.  He has numerous cousins spread all over Texas, Florida, and everywhere in between, especially on his mother’s side of the family, including his mother’s sister, Aunt Marianne (Tiny) Hussey, who resides in DeFuniak Springs, Florida.

Brian is preceded in death by both parents, William L. Carter, Sr and Carol (Hussey) Carter.  On his mother’s side, he is preceded by his Uncle Buddy Hussey & his wife Aunt Julia Hussey as well as his Aunt Bettie Hussey. On his father’s side, he is preceded by his Uncle Lee Carter & Aunt Jane Carter.  His father-in-law, William K. Bower, passed in 2024 and his brother-in-law, Michael W. Bower passed in 2025.

The family would like to express their gratitude towards the Heart to Heart Hospice, the ICU medical team at Midland Memorial Hospital, all the ChampionX employees and managers, all the Midland Women’s Clinic employees and physicians, and all the family and friends that have reached out with offers of assistance to the family.  The generosity of these groups have been overwhelming and we are humbled by the amount of love provided to the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made directly to the family or towards an animal shelter or sanctuary of your choice in his honor.

In response to the overwhelming love from his family & friends in Florida, a second Celebration of Life will be held in Pensacola in June 2026.  Please follow the family on social media or reach out to obtain additional information.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwlecom.com.

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