W.T. Shumake & Daughters

April 15, 1993 - April 14, 2025

Julius Ismael Carter, 31, of Louisville passed the day before his 32nd birthday.

Visitation 10-12 Saturday, April 26, 2025 at W.T. Shumake & Daughters Funeral Home. 3815 Newburg Rd. Funeral to follow at 12 noon.

Julius Ismael Carter April 15, 1993 – April 14, 2025 Julius Ismael Carter, 31, of Louisville, Kentucky, passed away on April 14, 2025—just one day before his 32nd birthday. He was born on April 15, 1993, at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Louisville to Anthony and Stephanie Carter. Julius was a beloved son, a cherished younger brother to Brittany Carter, and a light in the lives of all who knew him.

From the very beginning, Julius was a spirited and curious child. He was named in honor of two of his father’s favorite athletes: Julius Erving, the legendary basketball icon also known as Dr. J, and Raghib “Rocket” Ismail, the celebrated football star. That connection to sports was one he shared with his father throughout his life.

Julius himself became a passionate fan—he loved football and basketball, and his favorite player was Allen Iverson.
Julius was not only a fan of sports—he played both basketball and football growing up, showing determination and athleticism on the court and field. He was also a naturally gifted swimmer, with a smooth, effortless stroke that impressed anyone who watched him in the water. During his time as a student at Jeffersontown High School, coaches encouraged him to join the swim team, but he famously declined—he didn’t like the swim uniforms, a decision that still brings a smile to those who knew him well. It was a classic Julius moment: honest, funny, and completely himself.

Some of Julius’s fondest memories were made during summer visits to his maternal grandparents in Georgia and Texas, where he enjoyed swimming, playing with cousins, and simply being surrounded by family and love. One summer, he even got caught sneaking into the pantry too often—a funny story the family still laughs about today.
From a young age, Julius had a bright and inquisitive mind. He took a special interest in trucks and meteorology—a rare but telling combination of his playful spirit and intellectual wonder. He could spend hours watching the Weather Channel, learning to understand weather patterns, storm systems, and meteorological terminology well beyond his years. That same love of trucks—especially fire trucks—was one of his earliest fascinations, and it never faded. He also loved video games, cartoons, comics, and spending hours playing outside, lost in adventure and imagination.

He had a mischievous and nerdy side that was unforgettable—as a child, he even hacked the cable boxes, a moment that lives on in family stories as a perfect example of his cleverness and curiosity.

Julius had a special connection with animals, particularly a deep love for dogs, and he was always kind, sociable, and warm with everyone he met.

Though life presented him with personal challenges, Julius never stopped striving—he was in the process of trying to obtain his GED and find a job, continuing to reach for a better future with quiet resilience. As a child, he sang in the choir at his paternal grandparents’ church, a place that reflected his family’s strong spiritual foundation. Julius’s middle name, Ismael, was chosen with intention—it holds deep biblical meaning: “God hears.” This significance was not lost in his life journey. With paternal grandparents who were ministers, his name was a symbol of the spiritual love that surrounded him, and a reminder that even in his hardest moments, God heard him.

“God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, ‘Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there.’” —Genesis 21:17
Julius Ismael Carter — God heard him, God knew him, and God never left his side. In life and now in rest, Julius was seen, loved, and held by grace.
Music was another quiet joy in his life. Introduced to Musiq Soulchild and Jaheim through his mother’s favorite playlists, Julius developed an early love for smooth, soulful sounds that stayed with him into adulthood. Music gave him comfort, feeling, and connection—another space where his sensitive and thoughtful nature could thrive.

He is survived by his parents, Anthony and Stephanie Carter; his sister, Brittany Carter; as well as his grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and countless loved ones who will forever cherish his memory. Julius will be remembered for his warmth, wit, creativity, and big heart—a beautiful soul who left an everlasting imprint on every life he touched.