Wayne Carter

A Life Well-lived. . .

Grant Wayne Carter was born in Charleston, West Virginia on July 19, 1944 the second son born to Ulysses Grant (UG) Carter and Ercelle Saunders Carter.  He passed on Thursday, July 8, at Cleveland Clinic Hospital with his wife Tina at his side.  Wayne’s parents, his brother, Donald and sister, Diane preceded him in death.

Wayne grew up in Institute, West Virginia and attended Dunbar Junior and Senior High Schools.  In high school he excelled in sports where he played football, basketball, track and baseball.  He earned a scholarship in football to Central State University.  It was there that he met his life long friend William (Bill) Hicks.

Wayne completed his Bachelor of Science Degree in Health and Physical Education and received Certification in Corrective Therapy at the Dayton Veterans Hospital all in 1967.  He received his Masters of Education, Student Personnel Services Administration and Educational Administration Certification from Cleveland State University with additional graduate work completed at Walsh University, Baldwin-Wallace College and John Carroll University.

After relocating to Cleveland, he began teaching hearing-impaired students in the Cleveland Public Schools at Alexander Graham Bell School. Wayne taught in elementary, middle and high school levels; served as an assistant principal at A.B. Hart, principal at Joseph M.Gallagher and Regional Superintendent.  He was instrumental in designing and opening option schools and programs that are structured to optimize the learning potential for children like the first site at Halle School on the West Side.  In addition to his public school experience he was also an admissions counselor at Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland, Ohio.

Always involved in helping youth in Cleveland, he worked part-time and in the summers at various places:  Cuyahoga Community College Talent Search, East Technical High School, Cleveland Offenders Rehabilitation Program and as an Outreach Worker at Merrick House.

Throughout Wayne’s career, he demonstrated skill at working cooperatively and collaboratively with individuals and groups including students, parents, teachers, administrators, unions, businesses, colleges/universities, and community-based organizations to improve student academic achievement.  He possessed a keen sensitivity and responsiveness to the needs of special education populations and diverse ethnic groups.  Wayne became great friends with principals and teachers from Cleveland Schools and after retirement, they met regularly over lunch to discuss the “changes” in education.

In Cleveland, he met and married his life partner, Christina Dates on December 26, 1975 in a “spur-of-the-moment” ceremony performed by Rev. Isaiah Pogue; father of his other life time friend Ronald Pogue.  They had two sons, Grant Wayne, and Christopher Drew.  Wayne and Tina made a happy and loving life together in Solon, Ohio residing there since 1983.  Their sons’ both excelled in sports as outstanding athletes at Solon High School. Wayne and Tina spent many days and nights supporting their sons’ football, basketball and track and field careers. Grant attended the University of Minnesota and Drew attended The Ohio State University.  Drew went on to play professional football in the NFL for the Carolina Panthers and the Oakland Raiders.

When Wayne was not working, he was easily found tinkering with his second love – cars.  He loved polishing, shining and keeping them immaculate.  As someone who was a “techy,” Wayne had the latest gadgets in his cars, his home and on his person. He also loved collecting unique art pieces. His interest in hobbies evolved over the years from having an exotic fish tank, riding his bike with all the necessary gear, setting up the latest technology in his home, learning to play golf and loving it!

Wayne enjoyed playing golf and especially traveling to Las Vegas for a week of golf with his buddies. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandkids! Wayne attended grandparent days at their school, he accompanied them to their gymnastics class and absolutely loved watching them be fearless in the water at swim class.

His other interests included traveling to places such as Cuba, London, St. Thomas and the Bahamas. During a trip to London, Wayne, Ron Moss and Frank Aquila presented a paper at the University of London “A Multi-System Approach to Education At-Risk Urban Youth: A Three-Year Study.”

When Wayne and Tina decided the warmer climate suited them better in the winter, they bought a home in Melbourne, Florida and had a Florida “family” of friends there.  In their last visit in June 2021, their son Grant and his family joined them for weeks of fun with Papa and Gigi.

At various times, Wayne attended Renaissance Unity Church, St. Martin’s Episcopal Church and most recently Garfield Memorial United Methodist Church.

Wayne’s vision for all schools, especially urban schools is:  All students will be successful in a rigorous instructional program, and teachers, principals, support staff and administrative staff will be valued, will hold themselves responsible and accountable, and will be rewarded for their professionalism.

Wayne leaves to cherish fond memories his devoted wife Christina (Tina); sons Grant (Aleia) and Drew (Jessie), brother William (Mickey); adored grandchildren Sydney, Hendrix, and Jordan; brother-in-law Malcum (Thomi), nephews Damon (Valaria), Cheo (Zenita), nieces Erika (Chris) and Tia; cousins May Farris and Sandra; along with many other cousins, relatives and treasured friends.

The family is requesting all donations, in place of flowers, to be sent to the Central State University Cleveland Alumni Chapter in the name of G.Wayne Carter class of 1967.

Send donations to:

Treasurer Kimberly Bell Glenn
P.O. Box 21397
Cleveland, OH 44121

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