March 13, 1933 – May 28, 2025
Art Carter started working for Boeing in 1961. He rose to the rank of vice president of Boeing Aerospace and served as deputy manager of the Defense Systems Division. Carter’s responsibilities included missile systems, Strategic Defense Initiative systems, and support services.
In 1981, he was named program manager of the Air Launched Antisatellite (ASAT) program. The electrical engineer was selected to head all space defense system programs in 1985.
His illustrious career included managerial positions both within and outside the company. That was accomplished due to his inclusion in Boeing’s management loan component, in which managers were “loaned out” to organizations needing valuable managerial experience to advance their core competencies. From 1971 to 1973, as a Boeing loaned executive to the City of Seattle, he established and managed a nonprofit housing corporation that built and refurbished housing for low- and moderate-income families. He also volunteered with the Seattle Chapter of the NAACP for many years.
The well-rounded executive was well known for his impeccable use of the English language. It was not uncommon for him to put his language arts skills to use by writing speeches for other executives, as well as delivering speeches for some in the executive suite. His gift of “gab” led friends and co-workers to nickname him “Verbs.” His reputation was so successful he would substitute for Boeing’s top execs who couldn’t make speaking engagements they had agreed to. This wasn’t a problem for him, since he wrote many of the speeches they were supposed to give.
On the lighter side, at one point he was able to find a van for a group of Boeing employees involved in charitable projects. They would dress up in full clown costumes to entertain children. The group was so pleased with him going the extra mile for them, they made him an honorary member of the group. Carter was known as “Jacko the Clown.” He kept a photo of himself as Jacko on his wall at home for years after he retired from Boeing.
An avid Mariners fan, he was selected to throw out the Ceremonial First Pitch at a Mariners home game. His main takeaway from the experience – “You don’t realize how high the pitcher’s mound is until you stand on it!” And yes, he did get the pitch over home plate.
He was an Air Force veteran of the Korean War. Art enlisted in hopes of becoming a pilot. However, after failing the physical (due to a heart murmur – A-Fib), he switched to meteorology. There, he served four years, only to learn after he was discharged that his selective service board in Chicago had absolutely no record of him being a veteran!
He was praised by his superior officers when their flights were smooth, and summarily scolded when they flew through thunderstorms. Oops!
Art played trumpet in a Chicago drum-and-bugle corps, which led to his love of classical music. In his later years, it was not uncommon to find him seated at Seattle Symphony concerts. His drum-and-bugle corps was so competitive it won a national competition, which he and his fellow members cherished for years.
