Harold Dean Carrier, affectionately known as Hal by friends, and Poppy or Pop Pop by family, passed away peacefully on February 23, 2024, at the age of 84.

Born July 30, 1939 to Harley and Charlotte Carrier (nee Emmons) in Seneca, Nebraska, Hal was raised in Valentine, in the beautiful sandhills of Nebraska. He graduated from Valentine High School and completed a teaching degree in physical education at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He proudly served in the US Army for two years. He met Katherine Ann Adams and the two were married in 1969.

Hal was a physical education teacher at Brown Station Elementary School in Gaithersburg, Maryland for many years, where he was beloved and positively influenced the lives of many children. Hal and Kathy raised 4 children in Monrovia, MD. Hal supported his children in their activities and was a quiet force at many sporting events to include many cross country and track meets.

Hal was a talented athlete playing football, basketball and running track and cross country in high school and college. He was a member of the 1959 Kearney State Cross Country team that won the Nebraska College Conference title, the NAIA District 11 Crown and the Midwest AAU championship. He had a personal best of 1:52 for the 800 meters and later qualified for the Boston Marathon. His love for running continued throughout his life and he was an avid runner until he was 80 years old. He ran hundreds of races with the Frederick Steeplechasers Running Club in Frederick, MD and Seashore Striders Running Club in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. One of his proudest achievements after retirement was hiking the Presidential Range and to the top of Mt. Washington, twice.

After retiring in 1995, Hal and Kathy moved to Fenwick Island, Delaware for 26 years. He was always seen walking his Boston Terriers or running along Ocean Highway at the beach. You could find him cheering on his grandchildren at their lacrosse and baseball games and track meets. Hal was one of the kindest men you would ever meet – always willing to lend a hand to family and friends, and often told stories of his life. For the past three years, Hal and Kathy have been vibrant members of Heartlands Senior Living Village in Ellicott City, MD.

Hal is survived by Kathy, his wife of 54 years, his children Joel (Linne) of Clarksburg, MD, Jill (Darren) Calhoun of Hampstead, MD, Joan (Keith) Callaway of Bridgeville, DE, and Judd (Stephanie) of King George, VA; and his grandchildren Zachary, Sofia, Vincent, Ainsley, Sean, Joshua, Jace, Simon, and Jacob. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Harlin & Joyce Welch, lifelong friend Sam Spain, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings and grandson Nicholas. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to caregivers Divina and Judith for their loving and expert care of Hal in his final years.

From humble beginnings, Hal lived an extraordinary life and will remain a part of our hearts. A celebration of life will be held at Heartlands Senior Living Village at Ellicott City on March 14th at 1pm; and committal will be held at Community Church of Ocean Pines, MD on March 16th, at 1pm.