Barry Ray Carter

Barry Ray Carter

A beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, and faithful friend, passed from this life on February 5th, 2026, while doing a few chores at the ranch near Twin Bridges, MT.

Barry was born on June 25, 1947, the second child to George and Elva Carter. As a young boy, their family lived in West Yellowstone, Ronan, and Mill Town, MT, before moving to Sheridan in 1960. He graduated from Sheridan High School with the class of 1965. He furthered his education at MSU in Bozeman, graduating with a bachelor's degree in Fish and Wildlife Management. Wanting to stay in the Ruby Valley that he loved, he returned to Sheridan and worked as a heavy equipment operator for Cypress Talc (now known as Magris), where he made many lasting friendships.

Barry met his lifelong love, Carla Clark Smith, and they were married on December 16, 1983. Carla brought to their marriage her two sons, Doug and John Smith. On December 20, 1984, they welcomed a daughter, Tawnia, to their family. They continued to live at their home in Alder, MT, in the home that Barry built.

As an avid outdoorsman, Barry loved to hike and hunt in the mountains near Alder and Sheridan with his father, George, and his brother, Clint. He continued the tradition with his sons and daughter quietly and lovingly passing along his passion for the beauty of the Montana mountains.

For many years, Barry and his family raised Angus cattle at the ranch Twin Bridges and summer range in the Tobacco Root mountains.

Barry was a man of few words but will always be remembered for his dry sense of humor and deep love and concern for his family. He was a gentle soul and will be kindly remembered by everyone he touched along the way.

Barry is survived by his loving wife, Carla; daughter, Tawnia Carter Hanson; sons, Doug and John Smith; brother Clint Carter (Amy); sisters Kay Colwell (Frank) and Kelley Halle (Mark), and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, February 10th, 2026, in the Chapel K &L Mortuaries in Sheridan, MT. Interment will follow in the Sheridan Cemetery.