James Carter

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Hundreds of mourners gathered Tuesday morning for funeral services for an Alabama soldier who died while serving in Afghanistan.

Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 James Carter, who would have turned 43 next month, was remembered at Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church in Montgomery.

Pastor Carl Livingston, of Walnut Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Clarksville, Tenn., said Carter was a soldier not only in man’s army but in God’s and that his faith was important to him. Carter and his family recently built a house in Clarksville.

“The mighty has fallen, it breaks our hearts, it brings tears to our eyes ... but triumph is on the way,” Livingston said.

Carter was one of two soldiers who died in a helicopter crash on June 5 at Kandahar Army Airfield in Afghanistan.

Carter’s family was escorted to the cemetery by more than 100 Patriot Guard Riders, who also stood outside the church during the ceremony. The volunteer group of motorcycle enthusiasts, which includes veterans, provides support to families of fallen soldiers.

Carter was assigned to the 96th Aviation Support Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

In 24 years with the Army, Carter received the Bronze Star, three Army Good Conduct Medals and five Army Achievement Medals, among other decorations and awards. He had served in Germany, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Livingston said Carter called before his latest deployment in January to ask the pastor to watch over his children if something happened to him.

“He seemed to be at the peak of his life,” Livingston said. “He died so full of life, so full of potential.”

Carter is survived by his wife, Avis Renee Carter, two sons and a daughter.

Richard Font, commander of the Alabama American Legion, presented a Gold Star banner, given to the families of those killed in action.

“Hang this in your home and remember that your dad, your son, your husband fought for all the right things,” Font said.