It is with heavy hearts and grateful memories that we announce the unexpected passing of Christopher Carson Carter, who died of natural causes on June 25, 2026, in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Born on January 19, 1961, in Ontario, California, and raised in Upland, California, Chris earned a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from Pepperdine University. He began his career as a television news anchor in Reno, Nevada, before moving to Santa Rosa, California, and ultimately to Waterloo, Iowa, where he spent 16 years at KWWL. Most recently, he was a Realtor with eXp Realty.

Many in the Cedar Valley may remember the billboard that announced his career change, asking, “Where in the world is Chris Carter?” Chris’s favorite response was, “Still in your living room, just in person this time!” It perfectly captured the joy he found in making people laugh and feel at home.

Outside of his career, Chris had a deep appreciation for music, great lighting, exceptional food and drink, and animals of every kind. His quick wit, infectious laugh, and wonderfully outlandish sense of humor left a lasting impression on everyone he met. Whether through his professional work or his involvement in the community, he had a remarkable ability to connect with people and make every conversation memorable.

Above all else, Chris’s greatest pride and joy were his two beautiful daughters, Sloane and Serena. They were the center of his world, and the love he had for them was evident to anyone who knew him. His greatest legacy will always be the love he shared with them and the countless memories they created together.

He is survived by his daughters, Sloane and Serena Carter, and his former wife and the mother of his daughters, Cole Weliver, with whom he shared the joy of raising them. He was preceded in death by his parents, Beverly and Curtis Carter, and his brother, James Carter.

A Celebration of Life-also known as Chris’s “going away party”-will be held on Saturday, July 11, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Sunnyside Country Club, 1600 Olympic Dr., Waterloo, IA 50701. Rather than a formal service, this will be a casual, open-house-style gathering where all who knew and loved Chris are invited to stop by at any time during the evening to join the family in celebrating a life well lived through shared laughter, stories, music, food and drinks, and the kind of gathering he would have enjoyed most. Hors d’oeuvres will be served, and libations will be available for purchase (and, in Chris’s honor, enthusiastically encouraged!), including a selection of signature drinks for the occasion. Throughout the evening, memory stations will offer guests the opportunity to share a favorite story or write down a special memory for Chris’s family to treasure.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the family.

Chris encouraged those around him to enjoy life’s simple pleasures. Though he will be deeply missed, his laughter, stories, and unmistakable spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of those who loved him.