Kevon Carter was not only a good footballer but a good soldier, character and personality.
Sub lieutenant Leon Richardson delivered the eulogy of the 30-year-old Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) footballer who died on Carnival Friday from a heart attack.
A large crowd of family, government officials, friends and TTDF servicemen turned out at the funeral service at the Trinidad Christian Center in Petit Valley to pay their respects.
Richardson described Carter as “an honest, humble, fearless, committed soldier, a dedicated grandson, a disciplined son, a caring brother and an excellent father and companion.
“He will be missed throughout the Defence Force, and by extension the country, not only for his football ability but for his personality and character,” Richardson said.
Carter entered the TTDF as a private on October 28, 2003 and eventually became a lance corporal.
Richardson said Carter successfully transitioned from Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) football to the TTDF, then the national senior men’s squad.
“His fitness in training helped him in adjusting to military life. He was often described by his coach Ross (Russell) as “The Machine” since he was able to run the total 90 minutes of each match effortlessly.”
Richardson added that Carter’s discipline, humility and quality pervaded their interactions, while his professionalism transcended the football field.
Carter was part of many of the successes of the TTDF football team, including the 2009 First Citizens Cup, the 2010 /11 Pro League, and the 2012/13 Pro League.
Richardson recalled that Carter broke a leg during a match for the TTDF but “his determination saw him come back to make the national side”.
Carter was given a full military funeral. After the service his body was taken to the military burial site at Meeram Street, St James.
Known for his pace, Carter also made 31 appearances for T&T, scoring five goals. He was a member of T&T’s squad at the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup as well as the squad that finished runners-up at the 2012 Caribbean Cup Finals. He attended Mucurapo Senior Comprehensive and had national team stints under Hutson Charles and Colombian Francisco Maturana.
MP for Diego Martin Central Amery Browne, Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Kenrick Maharaj, Port of Spain Mayor and TTFA president Raymond Tim Kee, as well as Carter’s mom and dad Yvette and Noel Carter were among the attendees.
Digicel Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene, former Soca Warriors Brent Sancho and Ansil Elcock, and members of the current T&T and TTDF football squads were also at Carter’s funeral.
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Carter laid to rest.
T&T Newsday.
FORMER DEFENCE Force and Trinidad and Tobago footballer Kevon Carter was laid to rest at the Military Cemetery, Long Circular Road, St James, after a military funeral at the Trinidad Christian Centre, Morne Coco Road, Petit Valley yesterday morning.
Carter, who turned 30 on November 14, died last Friday at the Seventh Day Adventist Community Hospital after suffering a heart attack, moments after experiencing chest pains during a club training session at Macqueripe, Chaguaramas.
Reverend Dr Victor George delivered the sermon at the function, where he implored parents to take closer attention on the way they raise their children, insisting that such developments will result in the improvement of the younger generation of the twin-island republic.
Carter’s common-law widow Kendra Crowe (the mother of his two daughters Keishanna and Kiara) and Sergeant Richardson delivered the eulogy in a ceremony which was attended by a number of Defence Force personnel, both from the Army and Coast Guard/Navy.
A few teams from the TT Pro League were in attendance, including members from Police FC, Caledonia AIA, W Connection and San Juan Jabloteh.
Other notable football personalities at the funeral included Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president Raymond Tim Kee and general secretary Sheldon Phillips, president of the Eastern Football Association (EFA) Wayne Cunningham, national coach Stephen Hart and his deputy Hutson Charles and national team manager David Muhammad, Pro League Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dexter Skeene and former TT players Brent Sancho, Arnold Dwarika, Ansil Elcock, Dale Saunders, Kerry Baptiste and Kelvin Jones.