Leroy E. Carter Jr.

June 20, 1948 - April 12, 2021

Leroy E. Carter Jr., the third child of the late Leroy E. Carter Sr. and Dorothy Mae Riddick Carter was born in Chester, PA on June 20, 1948. He departed this earthly life at 3:16 p.m. on April 12, 2021, with his loving family at his bedside. Leroy was educated in the Chester Upland School District and was a member of the class of 1967. At Chester High School he excelled in football, track, and participated in the Penn Relays. He was selected as the Vocational Student of the year in auto mechanics shop and at graduation was awarded a scholarship to Spring Garden Institute in Philadelphia. There he studied auto and advanced diesel mechanics. After graduating from Spring Garden, Leroy was employed by Watkins Motors for 17 years as a diesel engine builder. He later worked for the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 542 for 29 years as a heavy equipment operator and diesel mechanic until his retirement in 2010. Two of the greatest events of his life were the births of his daughters, Tina, on March 31, 1971 and Ni’Cole on January 8, 1979. On Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2006 he married, as he told it, the love of his life, Kathleen. Leroy moved to Twin Oaks, PA in 1976 where during the early years of his children’s lives he was a regular fixture at the Upper Chichester school board and township commission meetings; weighing in on issues that impacted the community and its children. As a member of the Twin Oaks Civic Association, he and fellow residents were instrumental in bringing street lights, fire hydrants, sidewalks and curbs to Twin Oaks. As a boy he was always at the side of his father, Leroy Sr. who was a mechanic and well known throughout Chester and its surrounding areas. Mr. Carter was the first African American auto salesman at Murphy Ford in Chester and the only person there to garner top salesman awards for 12 consecutive months. With that as his legacy, it’s no wonder that Leroy had an intense love of all things automotive. To his family, his knowledge of cars and engines was amazing! Whenever he heard a car or truck pass by, Leroy could always tell you what was under the hood. He would say, that’s a Detroit or a Cummins engine or he’d tell you the make, model, and year of any car he saw. It was in his blood! He had a 1968 Super Comp Camaro, named the Twin Oaks Bandit, which he dedicated to his daughters, Tina and Ni’Cole, (his little Sugar Lump). Years ago, he raced at Cecil County, MD and Atco, NJ. He loved his car and was working on it with the hopes of taking it back to the track in 2021. His garage in Twin Oaks was a busy place where fellow racers worked on cars, bench raced, and talked about any and everything to do with cars and engines. He spent many hours in his garage. Leroy had every tool that you needed to work on cars, tractors, small appliances, and then some. He was a place for everything, and everything in its place person. He loved that garage and was proud of it. When his oldest daughter Tina was a competitive go kart racer, Leroy started a girl’s go kart racing club. He had a love for children and a concern for their welfare. Leroy encouraged all young people, particularly his grandchildren, to stay in school and to pursue their dreams. He was overjoyed whenever he heard of their accomplishments It was not unusual on Saturday mornings in warm weather to see Leroy outside supervising neighborhood children and his grandchildren with go kart driving. If you want to drive you also had to learn to change the tires and other maintenance. Other times he may just ride the kids around the neighborhood in his golf cart. He said that it gave him a chance to talk to them about school, respecting their parents, and making better life choices. Although he no longer lived in Chester, Leroy had a great love and concern for the city of Chester where he grew up. So, it was no surprise when he heard about the Fish Heads Fishing Club’s Annual Children’s Day on the Waterfront from its president, Xavier Blakely, that he had to be involved. This event provided free rods and reels, fishing lessons, and a day filled with fun, games, music, and fishing for approximately 250 children in the community. Leroy loved photography. He owned at least five professional Nikon and Cannon cameras with a tripod, lenses and multiple accessories. He took hundreds of photos over the years. Leroy was an avid camper for nearly 40 years. Leroy shared his love of RV camping with family and friends, starting with his daughters when they were young. He even influenced a friend to purchase his own trailer. For a few years in a row, family members gathered for camping trips at Cherrystone Camping Resort and Bethpage Campground in Virginia. After retirement, Leroy and his wife, Kathleen spent months on the road. They were Florida snowbirds for a couple of years. They also travelled and camped in each state as far north as Niagara Falls, Canada, south to Key West, Florida, and westward to Memphis, Tennessee. More than anything, Leroy loved God, his wife, children, and the joy of his life, his grands. Trust and believe that you’d rather tangle with a grizzly bear than to mess with one of his. Family was so important to him. So important in fact, that he asked the doctors to allow him to come home on Easter Sunday with the intention of returning to the hospital that night. He wanted to spend one last time in his home, with his family. He risked his life to be with us. It was always his privilege and pleasure to be surrounded by family and friends. His home was always open and everyone was welcome. For the past few years, there was a family breakfast at our house on New Year’s Day with 100 plus family members and friends in attendance. In spite of numerous health challenges, Leroy never gave into his illnesses and God raised him up over and over again. He was determined to do the things he loved once again but that was not to be. God had something greater for him. Leroy enjoyed his life and he wanted the same for everyone else. Leroy always said that life didn’t owe him anything. He lived his life his way and he lived it to the fullest. There is a lot said about Leroy in this obituary, but it barely scratches the surface. This one of a kind, good hearted, larger than life man will be greatly missed. He will forever remain in our hearts. Leroy was preceded in death by his daughter, Tina M. Bryan and his sister, Betty Ann Clark. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Kathleen, his beloved daughters, Ni’Cole M. Greene (Brian), Lisa V. Carroll (Raymond), Staci L. Miller, Sherita L. Johnson, Denelle R. Miller, his sons, Raymond L. Miller 3rd (Tia), and Marlon Byrd, 32 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, brother, James Carter, sister, Sharon Key (Lorenzo) aunt, Barbara Conyers, brothers-in-love, Norman S. Benson, David R. Benson (Judy), and Ian Alfred Clark, sister-in-love, Regina M. Strader, godson Lee Boyd, lifelong best friends Elmo Brooks and Danny White, all his friends in the racing community, and his many camping friends. Leroy had more special cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends than most people are blessed with in their lifetime. To God be all the glory for the things He has done!!! Psalm 127:3-5 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior So are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has a quiver full of them! Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83927130584?pwd=WTZKU0tiUmRqNnRIa1dQcVJ6VnVUdz09