Leonard Gene Carter died Saturday, June 5, 2021 at the Jack C. Montgomery VA Center in Muskogee, OK at the age of 89 years. Before retirement Gene owned and operated a paint and body shop. He was well known as an accomplished and gifted drummer and was talented in arranging and writing music as well. He worked with many well-known music artists throughout his career Gene played at the Grand Ole Opry and was a member of the Western Swing Hall of Fame.

Gene was born January 4, 1932 in Wagoner, OK, the youngest of eleven children born to Lawson Cornelius and Rilla Jane (Johnson) Carter. At the age of nineteen he joined the U.S. Navy and served in the Korean Conflict.

Gene and his lifelong friend and sweetheart, his wife, Fronia, loved to fish and travel together until her death in 2018. Others who preceded him were his parents and all his siblings.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughter and son-in-law, Debra and Raymond Royse of Muskogee; grandchildren, Robbie Jackson and wife, Bridgette of Muskogee, Cheryl Jackson and husband, Jareld Nelson of Tulsa and Katy Thomson and Ryan of Muskogee; great-grandchildren, Hunter and Lexi Woods, Andrew Jackson, Maxx and Sonny Zamora, Dylan Sullivan and wife, Jennifer, Carter Nelson, Jackson Sullivan, Tanner and Griffin Thomson and fiancé Jessica Caywood; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Viewing will be Tuesday from 10 am to 7 pm. Visitation will be from 5to 7 pm at Mallett Funeral Home in Wagoner.

The funeral service will be held Wednesday, June 9 at 1 pm in the Chapel at Memorial Park Cemetery in Muskogee, where Gene will interred.