Edwin Hal McCarter, 89, passed away June 19, 2018, five days shy of his 90 ^th birthday. He was born in Memphis, Tennessee on June 24, 1928. He is preceded in death by his wife, Emma Jean McCarter; brothers, James, & John Hugh McCarter; sisters, Lucille, & Margaret McCarter, & Mary Ella McCarter-Steele; parents, William Hal & Beulah McCarter.

Edwin Hal graduated from Bartlett High School in 1946 where he played in the band as a trumpeter, and joined the Navy Reserves soon after graduation. In 1955, Hal began working at Tube Light Engineering Company where he got his start as a neon salesman. In 1964, Hal became co-owner, working 66 years to grow his company, now known as Tubelite, into one of today's largest distributor of sign supplies.

Hal was married to the love of his life, Emma Jean McCarter for 62 years. He was a dedicated, long-time member of Bartlett United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his four children, Greg McCarter and wife Michele of Orlando, FL, Leslie Cacaro of Lakeland, Linda Hughes and husband Dean Hughes of Cordova, and Kevin McCarter and his wife Annette of Lakeland and ten grandchildren, Shantell Crosby, Brandon McCarter, Justin Cacaro, Nicole Hughes, Chris Miller, Courtney Hughes, Adam Hughes, Zac McCarter, Reid Cacaro, and Leah McCarter; two great-grandchildren, Olivia McCarter and Shay McCarter.

As a caring dad and Papaw, he will always be remembered for his unwavering work ethic, his genuine selflessness, his kind heart, and his honest desire to provide for others. He will forever be remembered for his devotion to Tubelite, his love of cooking for his employees, the joy he brought his neighborhood with his award-winning Christmas lights, and his overwhelmingly generous nature to his friends and family. He will be dearly missed by his family, neighbors, friends, and colleagues.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Sunday, June 24, 2018 3pm-5pm.

The memorial service will be held on Monday, June 25, 2018 at 2pm at Forest Hill Cemetery, 2440 Whitten Road, Memphis, TN 38133 , celebrating Hal's life with a jazz band procession. Dr. Steve Shepard and Pastor Andy Thompson will officiate.

The family suggests memorials may be sent to Bartlett United Methodist  Church , or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital .