Tribute to Jim Reter
February 1, 2018
Longstanding Carroll County NAACP member Jim Reter passed away on January 2, 2018.
For those who are not aware, Jim was one of the first
members of the Carroll County NAACP when the branch reformed in May 1999, after
an absence from the community since 1993.
Jim was a firefighter, an Army veteran of the Korean War and
Delegate Nancy Stocksdale’s brother.
On Jan. 20, 2018, Carroll County NAACP member Larry Helminiak
wrote, “Remembering Jim Reter”
When I think of the
Republican Party in Carroll County, I think of Jim Reter. I remember going to
vote at the polling place and seeing Jim Reter passing out Republican
literature. I remember going to Republican dinners and seeing Jim Reter's name
on table signs.
In 2002 I became a
member of the Carroll County Republican Central Committee. Jim Reter was there.
What I'm saying is
that every time I went to anything Republican, Jim Reter was there.
A few years ago my son
and I attended an NAACP fundraising dinner and saw that Jim Reter had a table.
Turns out that Jim was
an NAACP member, and convinced me to join. I have been a member ever since.
Jim was a great person
and a great Republican and will be sorely missed.
Larry Helminiak
Chairman
Carroll County
Republican Central Committee
+++++++++++++++++++
January 7, 2018
With heavy hearts, the Carroll County Republican Central Committee
CCRCC reports the passing of a great Carroll County Republican, Jim Reter.
Recently, Mr. Reter's years of service were recognized by the CCRCC with the
Reese Starner Award. Join us in praying for God's comfort for Jim's beloved
family and friends as they mourn his loss.
Obituary for James Ellsworth Reter
James Ellsworth "Jim" Reter, 86, of Westminster,
passed away on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at Levindale Hospital in Baltimore.
Jim was born on October 24, 1931 in Baltimore and was the
son of the late William Henry and Susie Rebecca Reter. He was the long-time
companion of Louise Black of Westminster.
Jim was a veteran of the United States Army and served as a
Corporal during the Korean War, from 1951 to 1954.
He was a graduate of Franklin High School, class of 1948;
and Western Maryland College in 1957 with a Masters of Business
Administration in Economics. Jim began his working career at his family's
store, "Reter's Groceries,” in Glyndon.
He was the Comptroller for Carroll County Public Schools,
and during retirement owned his own tax business, James E. Reter Company, Inc.,
until 2016. Jim was serving as a current elected official for the Carroll
County Republican Central Committee.
Jim was a volunteer fireman at Glyndon Volunteer Fire
Department for many years, and was honored as Firefighter of the Year in 1986.
He was actively involved in numerous organizations including
the Kiwanis Club where he served as past president, V.F.W. Molleville Farm Post
#467, Westminster, and American Legion Carroll Post #31…
Westminster, Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge #1381, Korean
War Veterans Association Shenandoah Valley Chapter #313, Historical Society of
Carroll County, Carroll County Arts Council, the Board at Parrs Ridge
Community, and the Church of the Ascension in Westminster. Jim enjoyed
traveling and politics.
Surviving him are sons Ron Reter, William Reter II and wife
Kathy, Thomas Reter and wife Susan all of Westminster; brother Calvin Reter and
wife Betty of Reisterstown; sister Nancy Stocksdale of Westminster; 6
grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Carroll Community Center: NAACP Martin Luther King Breakfast
NAACP monthly meeting reminder – TODAY – this evening, Thursday, January 24, 2019
She also reports that that this year’s program will include 14 narratives – and she still needs a few more readers. So if you are interested in participating in this moving and informative program, please contact E. Board Member Hurd
The Quitman Co. Administrator and I wrote for the Quitman
County Democrat about our visit to Marks, Miss. on Jan. 4, 2019. 
2. Samuel McCray: When the delegation arrived in town Jan.
4, 2019, they were welcomed by the City of Marks’ Mayor Joe Shegog Jr., and
Samuel McCray, the retired field representative of Congressman Bennie Thompson,
who currently serves as the vice-chair of the Mule Train Historical Society.
Kevin Dayhoff photo.
3. Civil Rights educational delegation: The distinguished
Judge Charles Harrison, in the red sweater and black hat rides along on the bus
during a four-day bus tour of historic civil rights sites in the south, in
early Jan. 2019. Behind Judge Harrison is former Westminster Md. Mayor Kevin
Dayhoff, and Caroline Babylon, the daughter of a leading civil rights advocate
in Carroll County Md. in the 1950s through the 1970s.
4. Marks Miss. history forum panel: Following the tour, the
group gathered at the Quitman County Middle School gym for a panel discussion
moderated by Jackson State University professor Dr. Hilliard Lackey. The panel
consisted of local residents who actively took part in, or witnessed the
historic civil rights activities in Marks during 1968: From left to right: the
current Quitman County Board of Supervisors president Manuel Killebrew; Dr.
Valmadge Towner, the president of Coahoma Community College, Helen Ingram,
Samuel McCray, and the Reverend Michael Jossell, Sr. Kevin Dayhoff photo
4Jan2019.
5. Civil Right Activist James Meredith: Civil Right Activist
James Meredith was present in the audience at the Civil Rights history forum in
Marks Miss. on Jan. 4, 2019. A nationwide civil rights delegation had the
opportunity to meet with him and hear his remarks. Kevin Dayhoff photo
6. Dr. Hilliard L. Lackey III and Mrs. Ora B. Phipps: The
delegation was also honored with the presence of Ora B. Phipps, the widow of
Armstead Phipps. Now in her 90s, she shared poignant insights and details about
historic events from over 50-years ago. Kevin Dayhoff photo
7. Velma Benson Wilson, Quitman Co. Administrator: Left to
right: Jaby Denton, Mitch Campbell, Dr. Evelyn Jossell, and Velma Benson
Wilson, Quitman Co. Administrator. Kevin Dayhoff photo 4Jan2019
Charles Alphin, Sr., the
director and CEO of DDK Historical and Educational Tours, which facilitated the
visit, has been working with the King Center in Atlanta and guiding historic
tours since the 1980s. He said after the visit, “If you do not know where you
come from, you don’t know where you are going.”
NAACP monthly meeting reminder – THIS Thursday, July 26, 2018
The Read-In is sponsored by Carroll County Public Schools,
Carroll County Public Library, the Carroll County Arts Council, and the Carroll
County Branch of the NAACP. The event is free and open to the public. No
tickets are required. A reception with jazz music will be held from 6:30 to
7:00 p.m. Readings and performances of African American literature will be
presented from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. 
Tribute to Jim Reter
In 2002 I became a
member of the Carroll County Republican Central Committee. Jim Reter was there.
This month, our meeting will take place this evening, Jan.
25, 2018 at 7 p.m. in 1st floor conference room Carroll Non-Profit Ctr on 255
Clifton Blvd.
On Saturday, Saturday, January 27, 2018, at 9 a.m., Silver
Oak Academy Program Director Mr. Kevin McLeod will be the guest speaker at the
15th annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. breakfast at Martin’s of Westminster,
sponsored by the Carroll County NAACP Branch 7014. 
Our mission is to ensure the political, educational, social,
and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred
and racial discrimination. Our vision is to ensure a society in which all
individuals have equal rights and there is no racial hatred or racial
discrimination.
