Lee Carter

Robert Lee Carter, 75, of Amarillo, Texas, passed away on September 18, 2026, in Amarillo, Texas.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, September 20, at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home from 2:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at 2800 Paramount Blvd. in Amarillo. A celebration of Lee’s life will follow on Monday, September 21, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Hillside Christian Church, Amarillo West Campus, located at 6100 S Soncy Rd #500, officiated by the Rev. Barry Loving. The family invites those attending to wear bright colors in honor of a man who approached life with relentless hope. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.

Lee was born August 28, 1951, in Savannah, Georgia, to Charles Carter and LaVaughn (Hampton) Carter.

A devoted husband, adoring father and grandfather, gifted educator, and faithful servant, Lee lived with deep faith, fierce love for his family, and what could best be described as stubborn optimism.

Lee married the love of his life, Sharon McCarley, on May 26, 1973. For more than 53 years, he demonstrated what it meant to be a loving Christian husband and father—faithful, present, encouraging, and self-sacrificing. He gave freely of his time and sleep, sent roses just because, and was endlessly proud of his girls.

Long before the phrase became popular, Lee was the original Girl Dad. He learned to French braid hair, trim bangs, paint fingernails, and wield a curling iron, and he built two elaborate playhouses. He also taught his daughters to change a tire, never let the gas tank fall below a quarter of a tank, trust their gut, treat people with kindness and respect, and believe they could be anything they wanted to be.

Lee was a feminist and LGBTQ+ ally who believed in the dignity of all people and was willing to do the right thing even when it was unpopular or difficult. He cared deeply about education, children, and the welfare of his community.

A graduate of Dumas High School, Lee earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from West Texas State University. After a brief time at Pantex, he spent 33 years with Pampa ISD as a math teacher at Pampa High School, Driver’s Education instructor, and the district’s first Director of Technology.

Lee was a brilliant and dedicated educator whose influence extended far beyond the classroom. Students trusted him with their most vulnerable moments, knowing they would receive sound advice, support, and a listening ear.

An early adopter of the internet and lifelong technology enthusiast, Lee also owned TechnicalLee, helping others solve their technology problems.

Service was central to his life. A dedicated servant leader at First Christian Church in Pampa, Lee also participated in Walk to Emmaus, volunteered with Pampa Meals on Wheels for 20 years, and later served as an Amarillo Area CASA volunteer. He most recently worshiped at Hillside Christian Church–Amarillo West Campus.

Lee came to know Christ early in life but found a deeper understanding of grace as an adult. His faith transformed the way he lived and raised his family, helping change the family tree from legalism to grace. He modeled a Christian faith grounded in love, service, compassion, and respect for others.

Lee’s indomitable spirit was tested many times. Losing his father at a young age inspired a lifelong commitment to health and fitness. He survived cardiac arrests in 1995 and 2003 and faced numerous health challenges with determination, rarely complaining and always fighting.

Those experiences also gave Lee an appreciation for the importance of making memories. He was intentional about taking pictures, recording videos, and creating experiences with his children and grandchildren so they would have memories to carry with them.

Lee adored his grandchildren, Carter, Cash, and Reese, and being their Grandpa was one of the great joys of his life. He was the kind of grandfather who, at 67, would teach a grandchild how to do a cartwheel by example; play laser tag; make endless trips to the Discovery Center; or simply take a walk around the block. He traveled countless miles up and down Texas highways to make sure he never missed what mattered to them—a choir concert, musical theater performance, piano recital, award celebration, volleyball or flag football game, gymnastics showcase, or Grandparents’ Day lunch at school. Whether the occasion was big or small, Grandpa showed up. Again and again, he showed them that one of the greatest ways to say “I love you” is simply to be there.

His interests included exercise, knife-making, Wing Chun, Kung Fu, and, always, technology.

Lee is survived by his beloved wife, Sharon (McCarley) Carter; daughters Kristi Carter Weil and husband Clinton, and Stacie Carter Mathis and husband Joshua; grandchildren Carter Weil, Cash Weil, and Reese Mathis; sister Debbie Pennington; mother-in-law Ruby McCarley; brother-in-law Steven McCarley and wife Clifann; nephew Wade Pennington and wife Asa; niece Nicole McCarley Gordon and husband Eric; and numerous beloved cousins, extended family members, and long-time friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Charles Carter; mother, LaVaughn (Hampton) Carter Back; stepfather, David Wayne Back; and father-in-law, James McCarley.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Amarillo Area CASA, Pampa Meals on Wheels, Gentiva Hospice Amarillo, or Abide Senior Care, 6421 Hurst Rd., Amarillo, TX 79109.

Lee leaves behind a lifetime of lessons, some practical and others profound: keep at least a quarter tank of gas. Trust your gut. Stand up for people. Do the right thing even when it is hard. Make the memories. Take the pictures. Choose grace.

Love your people fiercely—and never let your girls doubt they can be anything they want to be.