Coupeville Sports

  Jim Carter, at left, seen during the wedding reception for friends Alice Martin and Mike Kunkle. (Seaneen Hummel-Kardley photo)

Local authorities have confirmed the search for Coupeville landscaper and noted fishing enthusiast Jim Carter has ended.

Carter, who operated JC Maintenance and was known for being a devoted salmon fisherman, was found at a work site by a neighbor last evening. He was deceased and it is believed to be from natural causes.

When he had failed to return from work Thursday. Nov. 15 or answer his phone, the community of Coupeville united in an effort to find him. Known by virtually everyone in town, Carter, 58, always had a huge smile on his face.

“We all will miss his sweet smile,” said friend Seaneen Hummel-Kardley.

Carter is survived by the three children he had with Robyn Carter during their 33-year marriage — Jack Carter, Ivy Carter and Jayme Carter.

Robyn Carter remembered her former husband as a man who deeply loved Whidbey Island, fishing and his family. After growing up on the Island, graduating from Oak Harbor High School in 1971, he joined the Navy and was separated from Whidbey for awhile, before eventually returning in 2002.

“He was thrilled to return to Whidbey and raise his children here,” Robyn Carter said. “He was as dependable as the fog on Whidbey.”

Former CHS basketball star Rob Fasolo would often run into Carter while fishing at Ebey’s Landing and remembers their meetings fondly.

“He was a great fisherman and an even nicer guy. I enjoyed talking fishing on the beaches with him,” Fasolo said. “I will miss seeing him around Coupeville.”

That was a sentiment echoed by others, as well.

“A good man, gentle soul and great fisherman,” said Gary Piazzon. “It leaves a hole.”

His absence will also be felt by those who knew him through his lawn care and landscaping business.

“Soooooo liked this man!!,” said Heidi Monroe. “He was my first landscaper for me at the old “Heidi’s Coffee House”! Very sweet and kind!

” A very hard worker and wonderful gardener!!,” she added. “So, so sad that he isn’t with us anymore. My heart hurts…”

Carter worked for Annette Kalt’s neighbors and she often had the chance to talk to him.

“I think he enjoyed working the waterfront because it offered him many different fishing locations,” Kalt said. “My neighbors are summer/weekenders and they allowed him as much beach time as he wanted.

“I frequently saw him on the beach during the season and he was always up for a chat about what he was fishing for, what he was using for bait, and described accurately (odd for a fisherman) his catch,” she added. “He was shy, but quick to smile. He was gentle in manner, but a strong worker.”

However they knew him, through family connections, through fishing, through his work or just by saying hello to him and returning his smile, the people of Coupeville — and far beyond — will remember Carter.

“He was a gentle spirit,” said Jacque LaRue. “Very kind and was a dear friend.”

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The missing man is Jim (James) Carter, seen here on the right.

A local fisherman has gone missing and authorities and friends are asking for everyone’s help to find him.

Jim (James) Carter, who runs JC Maintenance in Coupeville, is 58, 6-foot-1 and around 180-190 pounds. He never made it home from work last night and has failed to answer his phone, as well.

He was last seen Thursday afternoon and was headed to a landscaping job in the Penn Cove area.

Carter is most likely wearing a baseball hat, Levi jeans (blue or black), work boots, t-shirt and a hooded sweatshirt.

The son of Nick and Treva Carter, he can frequently be seen casting off the shore in pursuit of salmon.

He drives a late ’90s GMC Sonoma dark blue pickup, which has a camper shell and a work trailer attached. The name of his business is on the pickup door.

If anyone has seen him or has information, please contact Marilyn Sherman Clay at (360) 914-7418 or call the Coupeville Police Department.

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