Soldier's sibling: 'He followed in my footsteps'
By Mark Petix, Staff Writer
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
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RANCHO CUCAMONGA - Dedicated.
That's how Army Staff Sgt. William Jones Jr. remembers his younger brother, Army Sgt. Lawrance James Carter.

"He was dedicated to what he did," Jones said. "When he decided to do something he did it."

The 25-year-old Rancho Cucamonga man decided to join the Army, just like his 34-year-old brother.

"I guess you would say he followed in my footsteps," Jones said.

Now Jones is preparing to bury his brother.

Carter was killed Dec. 29 when a roadside bomb exploded near his vehicle in the northwestern section of Baghdad, Iraq.

He was born at San Antonio Community Hospital and graduated from Hillside High School in Upland.

He had been in the Army for five-and-a-half years and was on his fourth tour of duty.

Carter served twice in Afghanistan. He was on his second tour in Iraq when he was killed.

Jones said he recently returned from Iraq and was stationed in Georgia when he heard the news.

Now home on emergency leave, he's helping his family - and especially his mother - through this terrible time.

"Now I'm her only son," he said.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Stone Funeral Home, 355 E. 9th St. in Upland.

Carter will be buried at Riverside National Cemetery.

In addition to his brother, Carter is survived by his mother, Charles Evelyn Jones Grays; stepfather Ollie Grays Sr.; grandmother, Theola Evelyn Christy; an uncle, Lance P. Christy; an aunt, Loursteen Christy; a stepbrother, Ollie Grays Jr.; and stepsister Debra Denise Scott.

Staff writer Mark Petix can be reached by e-mail mark.petix@dailybulletin.com or by phone at (909) 483-9355.

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