It is with insurmountable sorrow that we announce the senseless and untimely passing of our beloved Carter Jesse Black.
Carter was born in Salina on August 10, 2011, to his loving mother, Heidi Black. At the far too young age of 14, he ascended into his uncle Jesse’s heavenly embrace on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Wesley Children’s Hospital in Wichita.
Carter excelled in all that he set out to do. He was a naturally gifted fisherman, hunter, and athlete, with passions that included airsoft, baseball, dirt biking, and wrestling. He enjoyed playing guitar and dominating airsoft tournaments alongside his big brother, Rhett. More often than not, Carter could be found riding his bike—hauling a five-gallon bucket and fishing poles—or seated proudly in the passenger seat of his grandpa’s truck, decked out in camouflage, headed out to scare away wildlife with his hilariously aggressive duck-calling skills.
Overflowing with life, Carter was a caring, witty, and loving ball of radiant energy who brought immense joy and blinding light wherever he went. Always the life of the party, he was irresistibly charming and uncommonly gifted at making people laugh—sometimes even getting himself into trouble along the way. Carter could make a joke out of anything, and it was nearly impossible to be upset or in a bad mood in his presence. His laughter was constant, genuine, and contagious, and his beaming smile could melt even the coldest of hearts.
Carter never met a stranger and was always on a mission to make others smile, even those he had just met. Infinitely funny, charismatic, and kind, he possessed a rare ability to make everyone feel seen, comfortable, included, and welcome. It is impossible to determine which was greater—his personality or his heart.
Above all else, Carter was a sweet, wonderful, and genuinely good person with a rare, tender, and beautiful soul. He was a caring and attentive brother; a devoted, cherished grandson; and an extremely protective, affectionate, and adoring son who gave the world’s greatest hugs.
May Carter’s gentle spirit, heartfelt kindness, contagious joy, laughter, and profound light live on forever in the hearts of all who were blessed to know and love him. His wings were ready—but our hearts were not.
Left to mourn Carter’s tragic passing are his loving family: his mother, Heidi Black; siblings Rhett Corbett, Damian Corbett, and Emilee Black, all of the home; grandparents Tom and Beatrice Black of Salina, and Greg Adams (Jan) of Medina, OH; aunts Cara Ivey (Jerry), Tara Eberwein (Mike), and Tina Rose (David); cousins Grace Bulleigh, Makenna Wimer, Anna Soriano, Nathan Ivey, Colton Bartholomew, Jeter Adams, and Jagger Adams; bonus siblings Kassidy Corbett, Bryc’n Corbett, and Caitlyn Osborne; along with many adoring great-aunts, great-uncles, second cousins, and friends who will forever carry his memory with them. Fishing with him in heaven are his loving and proud uncle, Jesse Adams, and his great-grandfather, Charles “Pops” Black.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at First Covenant Church, 2625 East Magnolia Road, Salina, with Pastor Tyler Henoch officiating. In celebration of Carter’s spirit, attendees are invited to wear red, white, and blue and/or camouflage; cowboy boots if you’ve got ‘em.
Carter was a true hero. In keeping with his loving and generous spirit, his final act of kindness was the ultimate gift of life through organ donation—allowing others to move forward while carrying his warm glow within them. We are deeply grateful to the medical team at Wesley Children’s Hospital and the Midwest Transplant Network for their exceptional compassionate care, dignity, and solemnity during this profound time of loss.
If love could have saved him, he would have lived forever.