Ira Lee Carriker

Marietta Monitor

June 28, 2002, pg 4

Submitted by: Martha N. Reddout

Graveside services for Ira Lee Carriker, 68, of Buncombe Creek, were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, in the Hewitt Cemetery in Wilson, with the Rev. Terry Tolbert, a nephew, officiating.

Mr. Carriker was born April 13, 1934, at Wirt, the son of Robert Gus and Bertie Mae "Mamie" Givens Carriker. He died Saturday, June 22, 2002, in Mercy Health-Love County Hospital, Marietta.

Born and raised in Wirt, Mr. Carriker graduated from Dundee High School in 1952. He was awarded a full scholarship in football to Tulsa University which he pursued, then was injured. Forced to quit his first love, being football, he dropped out of college temporarily and joined the U.S. Army. During his term in the military, he was part of a Rifle/Pistol Exhibition Team from which he received numerous awards for his markmanship. After discharge, Mr. Carriker returned to college, first to Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Murray State College in Tishomingo and graduating from Pennsylvania University with degrees in pipefitting installation and mechanical design. Working all over the United States and in Hawaii as a master sprinkler fitter, Mr. Carriker installed industrial automatic fire systems for 30 years until he retired in 1989. In 1979, the Dundee Alumni Association presented Ira an award as the Most Outstanding Athlete in Football, Baseball and Track to have attended Dundee School.

He and Shirleen Kay Tolbert were married July 20, 1957, in Marietta.

Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Shirleen of the home in Buncombe Creek; a son and daughter-in-law, Darren Lee and Susan Carriker of Arlington, Texas; a granddaughter, Breanna Carriker of Arlington; a sister, Loretta Withers of Richardson, Texas; and a brother, Garland Carriker of San Antonio.

Mr. Carriker was preceded in death by his father, Gus Carriker on April 15, 1961; mother, Mamie Carriker on February 7, 1989; a daughter, D'Juana Kay Carriker on January 1, 1999; a sister, Helen Christner on July 11, 1994; and a brother, Vernon A. Carriker on September 11, 1987.

Honorary pallbearers were Gene Burton, Ronnie Gay, Steve Reed, Snooky Rains, John L. Tadlock and Cory Godwin.

Services were under the direction of Alexander Funeral Home, Wilson.