Carter Morgan Westfall

Carter Morgan Westfall, age 23, of Mulvane, Kansas, escaped the bonds of this earth on Sunday, June 28, 2015. Carter was born on January 1, 1992, at Overland Park, Kansas, the son of Rusty Ray Westfall and Suzanne Denise Warren. Carter is survived by his parents, sister Sydney, brother Zachary, of Mulvane, Kansas; grandparents Ray and Sharon Westfall of Mulvane and David and Patricia Warren of Leawood, Kansas; aunts and uncles Shelley Aistrup (Joe), Penny Warren (Eric Johnson), Kurt Westfall (Shelly), and family members Jaliene Ross and Brian Ross. Carter attended public schools in Mulvane, Kansas; Pullman, Washington; Columbia, Missouri; and graduated from Mulvane High School in May, 2013. In 1996, he was selected as the poster child for the annual fund drive of United Way of the Plains, for the greater Wichita, Kansas area due to his participation in Rainbows, a rehabilitative therapy program for disabled children. He was pictured in the Wichita Eagle with George Brett and Frank White of the Kansas City Royals for a ‘Royals for Rainbows’ event. The Mulvane community rallied for Carter in 1999 and 2000 by raising the funds for him to travel twice for special therapy at Euromed, a physical therapy clinic at Meino, Poland. The therapy uses a suit designed to strengthen and normalize muscle movements for cerebral palsy handicapped persons. Beyond cerebral palsy, Carter’s life was exemplified by a strong sense of humor that showed up in an irresistible smile and warm laugh. Carter always enjoyed a good joke and even delighted in the ironies of life. He was always happiest when he was around family, expressing his feelings through smiling, laughing and being ornery. His orneriness showed up by saying "mine" when either someone was walking by with food or to tell Sydney that her next painting or art project would be for his room. When excited, his laugh was high pitched and gleeful. He did not like personal drama in real life. He just wanted people to get along. His favorite outdoor activities were being with his father or grandfather Westfall on a four-wheeler or fishing outing. Carter explored many genres of literature through audio-books. Movies, television and video games were his favorite entertainment. He especially loved action/spy movies with slap stick comedy and a happy ending. His favorite audiobooks were action novelists Clive Custler, Michael Connelly, John Grisham and Thomas Clancy, all Harry Potter books, and everything associated with Star Wars. He especially liked TV series such as McKiver, NCIS, Bones, and reality TV cop shows. Carter's dream job was to become a crime Scene Investigator. Carter loved a big bowl of ice cream and chocolate cake and most any other food that was not good for him. This was how Carter lived on the edge. He generally did not like doctors, whom he saw on numerous occasions. At an early age, Grandpa Warren taught him to call on John Wayne to plug his medical tormentors and "stick it" to them. Carter wanted Sydney's friends to hang with him, especially Andy Morris, from whom he liked to hear about computers and technology. There will be a gathering of family and friends on Sunday, July 5, from 5 to 7 pm. Please join us for ice cream in Carter's memory. A memorial service will be held at10 AM Monday, July 6. Both events are at the Mulvane United Methodist Church, 107 S. Central. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund c/o Carson Bank has been established with Mulvane Public Library, for an audiobook Listening Library. Tributes may be viewed at www.smithfamilymortuaries.com.