Henry G. “Hank” Carter III
May 30, 1950 - September 14, 2021
Henry G. “Hank” Carter III, age 71, of Newark, DE, passed away on Tuesday, September 14, 2021.
Born in Atlanta, GA on May 30, 1950, he was a son of the late Henry G. and Margie (Orr) Carter, Jr. Shortly after competing in the Miss America Pageant, Hank’s mother, Margie, met his father, Henry, while they were both performing at a wedding, with her singing and him playing the piano. Luckily, Hank was fortunate enough to inherit his parents’ good music genes. Hank was thrilled whenever he got the opportunity to play with his brothers Alan, Wayne and Mark who are/were also musically gifted.
Because of this, Hank had a lifetime passion for music, which he was able to turn into a successful music career by playing with a host of local Delaware groups including Rocket 88, the Watson Brothers (and Melton brothers), Garry Cogdell and friends, Club Phred and George Thorogood and the Destroyers with whom he played for 23 years. GT and the Destroyers is probably best known for the song ‘Bad to the Bone’, so give it a listen as Hank rocks the sax! Hank, while with the Destroyers, shared the bill with such artists as the Rolling Stones, BB King, Little Feet, ZZ Top, J. Geils Band and others; also, he performed at the very special Live Aid concert. He played a variety of instruments, including electric/acoustic guitar, bass, piano and keyboard, but he was best known as a saxophonist. He was inducted into the Delaware Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2018 with the Watson Brother’s Band.
Hank was also a veteran, having served in the US Army Band during the time of the Vietnam War; this experience, by his own words, was critical because it offered regular opportunities to hone his musical talent. Of special note, our family is honored to share that Mr. Henry G. Carter Jr., Hank’s father, was a veteran of WWII and fought, amongst other battles, at the Battle of the Bulge.
Beyond music, Hank’s other interests included fishing, experiencing nature (Lake George), vegetable gardening, reading, and video games (Zelda: Ocarina of Time). After working with the band, while in his early 50’s, Hank earned his bachelor’s degree in Accounting at the University of Delaware; he worked doing this type of work until he retired.
In addition to his parents, Hank was predeceased by his two brothers, Wayne Carter and Mark Carter (Tandy). He will be forever loved and remembered by his partner for life, Lynn (Reeser) Carter; their two sons, Hayden Carter and Henry Grady Carter, IV (Bridget); grandchildren, Maire, Logan, James, Calli, and Bruce; siblings, Alan Carter (Pat) and Susan Carter Clark (Bill); nieces and nephews, Cadence, Robert Alan Carter (Greta), Marissa Bohn (Nate), and Amy Highsmith (Jordan); great-nieces and nephews, Sam, Grey, Bo, Charli, and Emily; his acquired family, Karen and Jim McCloskey, Gary and Cindy Reeser, Susan Reeser (and their many children, children’s spouses and grandchildren); and his many special friends that he enjoyed so much (you know who you are)!
Hank was a kind and generous man, loved by friends and family and all those he touched. He was an involved and caring father, husband, relative, and friend. One cannot think of life with Hank without remembering the sincere love and friendliness he shared so easily with us all.
All services will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Hank’s memory to atTAck Addiction, P.O. Box 36, Bear, DE, 19701, or online by clicking here.
Kathy Graham
Missing you Hank. Thank you for being an integral part of my life ❤️
Bob Settelen
Hank, it was a pleasure being a part of your enormous talents. Having met you thru G.T.&D. many years ago and thru various concerts with the Diamond State Blues Society. You always brought a smile and laugh too my face with your humor and friendly attitude. My deepest sympathies go out too family, friends and members of your musical circle. Rip my Friend and God Speed. 🙏
The Coopers
To Lynnie, Grady, & Hayden ~
May the love you all share surround you with comfort as you grieve your greatest loss.
We love you.
Nanners, Cooper, & Michael 💝
Gary Reeser
Hank, you were not just a great musician but a great man. You were a wonderful Dad, friend and (to me) brother-in-law. You are missed.
Kelly Blough
Fond memories, sad to see you go. RIP.
Nancy Jensen
I am so sorry to hear of Hank’s passing, he was a wonderful person and will be remembered for years to come. It was a pleasure to know him. My deepest condolences to Lynn and the entire family.
Nik Everett
I will miss you Hank, thanks for playing on my album. Rest In Peace, Nik
Tana Lee Phillips
RIP dude! You were an AWESOME musician and person. My condolences to the family!
Kathy Dougherty
I have so many wonderful memories of Hank since first meeting him at the “taxidermy shop” in Newark a hundred years ago. I will treasure them always. Hank’s quick wit, sly smile, and generous spirit were only outdone by his amazing musical talent and his deep love for Lynn, Grady, Hayden, and the entire Carter/ Reeser family. Jim and I are thinking of all of you as you cope with this terrible loss.
I will miss you my friend but I’ll never forget you.
Deborah Pirkle
Wonderful to know you and Lynn for 40 years. My heart is aching. A great loss to all who knew you. Amazing grace
PETER THOROGOOD
Thanks Hank for all the good memories. Yes, George is my brother.
brian r corbishley
Rest in Peace Hank. You brought a lot of joy to a lot of people. I still play your CD to this day.
Laura DeHoff Shick
What a wonderfu person he was. So many happy high school memories. Praying you, the family, find comfort. The bird flies away but the sound of the song stays in your heart.
Bob Curtin
Hank has been a touchstone kind of friend since playing in bands together back in the ‘70’s. He had a way of lifting us up and left us smiling. Thanks for playing music with me & sharing a few steps on life’s long journey. Deepest sympathies to Lynn & family.
Debbie Johnson
My best friend in rhe 70s Lynn how happy I was for you that you found true love. I would see you from time to time and catch up and I would love to hear all the new stories of your exciting life with Hank. I feel like I got to know him in a few visits and it was obvious he was one kind, gentle man. He was blessed to have you Lynn in his life. I have always loved and admired you. May you feel Gods love with you now and may you feel the eternalness of Hank. He has not gone, just left your sight for a short time.
Love you Lynn!!!
Debbie Johnson
Jim Mulry
I am very sad to hear of Hank’s passing. I have wonderful memories of basement bands in Newark (Scoop), living behind the Balloon on Del. Ave., moving to the Poconos to roof with Lloyd and many more. He was a great guy to hang with; always great company. I will miss him. My condolences to Lynn and family.
Garry Cogdell
Always inspirational generous and kind . Talented and a delight to hear him play. RSP to you my friend.
Eddie Everett
I am proud to say that I got to play music with you Hank.
Rest in peace.
Debbie Johnson
Lynn, I want to include my high school name for all of our mutual friends and our great memories.
Debbie (Tyndall) Johnson
Michael Rast
RIP Hank! You will be missed by many, I’m sure. Heaven will welcome a great Sax player!
Nancy Jo Mulry
God Bless Hank!! The obit was spot on that he was a kind soul! We met him at Frogtown when we were at U of Del, thank goodness. We were lucky enough to have seen him open for Rolling Stones in SFO in 1981 when he got tix for us. I traded words with him on FB a few times in the past few years and he was always SO KIND.
THANKS for sharing all the pictures. Such a fitting tribute to a deserving human!
Mary Jane Salvatore
I have nothing but fond memories of the times I spent with Hank, his family and friends. Although I am sad that he has passed away, my continued thoughts about Hank will be happy ones. My sincere condolences on your (our) loss.
Susi Blanchard
RIP Hank Hurricane! I am so grateful to have gotten to know you through my late husband Dennis… He & I had so much fun at every opportunity to see you blow your horn & run on stage! GT & D never sounded the same after you left! I know you are at peace hopefully hanging out with Dennis 😇🎷🎼😇Thank you again for all the great memories! Until we meet again.❤️
Carol Butler Crawley
Lynn and family,
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Please accept my sincerest condolences.
Much love,
Carol Butler Crawley
Sheila Smith
Hank, Thank you for the music and all you brought to others.
Dear Lynn, I’m thinking of you and and all of your family.
Vic Davis
Goodbye Hank, you were a good ‘un. Thanks for being my friend. Condolences to Lynn, Grady, and Hayden.
Andrew McDermott
My life is full of memories of Hank. From his antics as my best friend in 7th grade to being best man at his wedding. His native intellect and voracious appetite for reading were always an inspiration. His abilities as a musician spoke for themselves and I was privileged to hear him play both formally and informally on many occasions. Hank’s quick wit and sense of humor will be sorely missed. Lynn, I am so sorry for your loss and wish the best for you and all of your family.
Dan Oechsle
I am a near-lifelong fan of George Thorogood and the Destroyers. I have been since about 1983. It’s of great shock and greater pain to my heart to hear of the recent passing of Hank Carter. I invited him and the rest of the band members into my house, or car, as a friend every time I listened to their albums. Now, sadly, we have lost a friend.
I have seen him playing for the group five times in concert. In all truth, I appreciate his sound much better than the one who replaced him. I will stand by that statement as truth from my lips until my last day. Hank brought a fabulous sound and personality to the band including with his backing vocals.
My parents also appreciated the sound of his saxophone playing. They went to see him in concert with me in 1990.
He obviously was a grand person from everything I’ve read, and a great veteran too. Thank you Hank for serving the Country and thank you Hank for entertaining us; you will be greatly missed. I will continue to keep your legacy alive as I have tried to do since the first time I heard your playing.
I give my deepest condolences to your entire family who are in my prayers for comfort at this time of mourning. May God’s peace and comfort be with the family.
Hank, may you be pleasing the holy God right now playing your best.
Joey & Ronnie Kalmbacher
Blessings to Lynn, family & all that loved him.
Greg DeCowsky
We’ll miss you, Hank. Remembering good times at the taxidermy shop, Wilbur St., Frogtown, and many days of fishing… and always your music. I was hoping for one more bluefish contest at Indian River. My Dad is up there, he’s a big fisherman and will accept your invitation any time; although he prefers flounder and blackfish. I’ll see you when (if?) I get there. I went into a convenience store the day Andrew told me you had passed: the Destroyers were on the PA. Cosmic!
Joshua
Hello,
I hope this doesn’t appear as cliche but that song changed my life. I have been playing Sax now for years and owe him all my gratitude to the “Bad to the bone” solo. That sound of his is forever stuck in my head and I’m not letting it out. I don’t know him but I have love for him.
Best regards and condolences to his family.
Love,
Joshua Klein
Dennis Setting
Always missed you and the great laughs we had. You had a great laugh…
RIP
Kevin McLaughlin
To Lynn, Grady, and Hayden,
Our hearts go out to you over your loss.
Kevin & Amy & Sean
Lynn McEachern
I never met Hank, but I met His brother Mark. Mark came to my father’s funeral in Winter Garden, Fl and introduced himself. He and his siblings Mothers Mother was my Grandmothers sister. My Grandmother was Gertrude Orr. I wish that I had known all of you…but at least I can say hello. Bless all of you and I loved his saxophone playing.
Stacey and Rob Chirnside
Lynn and family,
We are so sorry to hear about Hank and Hayden. Our hearts are heavy with the news but we remember all the good times. Let us know if there is anything you need. We plan on sending a donation to atTAck Addition in Hank’s and Hayden’s names. Love you, Stacey and Rob
Wayne Beardwood
Hank and I were in the Army Band In Aberdeen, MD together (saxophone) First day I was there they assigned me to his squad. During morning clean-up he took me to his room, sat me on the bunk and handed me a comic book and said “don’t leave until i come get you.” This went on for about 2 weeks when finally people started to wonder about the new guy. Hank had taken me under his wing because “we’re the only 2 from Delaware.” Loved him like a brother ever since. Gonna miss him big time.
holly taylor
as we sit listening to a George Thorogood cd, my son and I was living the great sax solos. my son Josh saw him play at rally by the river in Toledo Ohioabout’96. ad a young aspiring musician himself he never forgot Hank’s performance. He was a great musician, and reading about his life a fine man! He blessed us so much in his time on this earth!
Rusty Hudson
My deepest condolences to Alan and all of Hank’s family.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Greg Morger
I first saw George Thorogood and the Delaware Destroyers at the Rolling Stones stadium concert Candlestick Park 1981. I thought they stole the show! I had seen a television documentary on GT &The Delaware Destroyers touring the country in a Checker Manhattan. I saw them again at a smaller venue in San Francisco, I believe it was the Warfield theater. I was so close to the stage that George stepped on my hand. At the end of the show Hank was giving high-fives to the front row crowd. Some guy near me grabbed Hank’s iconic flat cap off of his head. I ripped it out of the guys hands and gave it back to Hank.
RIP Hank, thank you for the music and the memories. God bless you and your family.
Sincerely,
Greg Morger Vacaville CA
John Laughter
Throughout the history of Rock & Roll Saxophone players there has been many who have inspired new generations of players of all ages. Hank Carter was one of those who will be remembered for many years to come! Thanks for your Rock & Roll style and sound!
Barbara Gawinski
Lynn, so sorry for you losses this year. I cannot imagine how you Integrate these losses into you living. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Barbara Gawinski
Case R. Hoefgen
Hank “Hurricane” Carter, you ain’t been forgotten.
Rose
Wishing you comfort in happy memories