Carl Richard Pagter, 88, celebrated old-time and bluegrass musician of Stanardsville, Virginia and Walnut Creek California,
went to his eternal home on the morning of January 3, 2023, from his family residence in Stanardsville, Virginia.
Carl is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Judith Cox Rorabaugh Pagter of Stanardsville; son Corbin Pagter;
stepdaughters Melissa Lynn Wilson and Alicia Sue Contic; grandchildren Justin Hollingshead, Chad Hollingshead, Brent
Contic, Tiffany Contic, Shana Contic, Cory Contic, Chase Contic; and great-grandchildren Eva Hollingshead and Tye
Hollingshead. Carl was preceded in death by a son, Cameron Pagter.
Carl was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on February 13, 1934, to Charles Ralph Pagter and Mina C. Amelung Pagter. He moved
to California as a youth and earned anAssociate ofArts degree from Diablo Valley College in 1953, a Bachelor ofArts in
History degree from San Jose State University in 1955, and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of California,
Berkeley in 1964. He became a U.S. Navy Officer in 1956, was assigned active duty on the USS INTREPID (CV-11) for six
years and Naval Reserve duties for fourteen more, retiring as a Commander after 20 years of service. Alawyer by profession, he
was employed in a corporate capacity in various locations in California, and near Washington, DC.
Carl was a singer at a young age and was introduced to the ukelele by his long-time Navy friend John Sandy. He became a self-
taught long-neck banjo player at age 28. He loved bluegrass music and befriended many who played it artistically. He became
an enthusiastic advocate for bluegrass music and its old-time musical roots. In 1975, Carl and Judie Cox Pagter formed the old-
time string band, Country Ham. For 35 years the Pagters traveled nationally with the band to maintain a part-time performance
and recording career in the Smoky Mountains, the San Francisco BayArea, and in the Washington, D.C. Area.
In 1974 Carl founded the California Bluegrass Music Association, which has become the largest such advocacy association with
over 2,600 members today. He chaired its board and promoted its musical performances, later serving on the boards of the
International Bluegrass Music Association, the Bluegrass Music Museum in Kentucky, and the Bluegrass Music Foundation in
Nashville. He was honored by receiving the IBMADistinguishedAchievement Award in 1999.
Amemorial service and Celebration of Life for Carl will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023, commencing with military honors
at 10:30 a.m. at South River United Methodist Church, 1299 South River Road, north of Stanardsville. Fellowship and
refreshments will follow, with an afternoon of exceptional old-time and bluegrass music performed by Carl’s musician relatives
and friends.