James Edward Carpenter entered into the Church Triumphant on January 8, 2021 at Catawba Valley Medical Center. He died from Covid-19 related complications. He was born on September 14, 1928 and lived his entire life in Claremont NC and was proud to be a Catawba County native. Throughout his life he was hardworking, generous, and a man of his word. The two most important things in his life were his family and church.
Reared in a farming family during the depression era, he became a frugal man who abhorred waste and admired honest work. He continued his interest in the farming life until his death. He worked in retail and furniture but his passion was a career in real estate and auctioneering. He joined Carpenter Realty and Auction Co (a company begun by his uncle Coyte) in 1968. It was essentially a family run business and remains that way until present. He became one of the State’s first licensed auctioneers in 1974. He was particularly proud that he had two sons and two grandchildren who also became auctioneers. This meant that 5 generations of Carpenters had followed into the profession.
He was a life-long member of St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Claremont. Baptized and confirmed there, he was an active member who served in many leadership roles including: Sunday school teacher and Superintendent, President of Church Council, member and President of the Brotherhood (Men in Mission), and overseer of the St. Mark’s cemetery for many decades.
He received numerous citations for his charitable work from many Catawba county organizations but perhaps his proudest moment came when he was inducted into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in September, 2018.
He was preceded in death by: Clarence and Cordie Carpenter (his parents), David Carpenter (his brother), Ethel Tucker, Doris Wagner, Maxine Hovis and Shirley Fisher (his sisters) and Scotty Yow (grandchild). His wife of 64 years Betty Engram Carpenter also preceded him in 2013.
He is survived by his wife, Hilda Deal Carpenter, 4 children: Tim Carpenter( wife) Judy, Diane Dison (husband) Andy, Don Carpenter (wife Ann) and Mark Carpenter (wife) Alisa, his “bonus” children: Karen Moser (husband) Brad, Renee Hart (husband) Bob and Allen Deal. Also left to honor his memory and continue his legacy are 10 grandchildren, 7 “bonus” grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren and 10 “bonus” great-grandchildren.
A graveside service to Celebrate Resurrection and to honor his life was held at St. Mark’s Cemetery on January 13, 2021 at 2:00 PM. Memorials may be made to St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Claremont.
Condolences may be sent to the Carpenter family at www.drumfh-conover.com
The Carpenter family has entrusted funeral arrangements to Drum Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Conover, NC.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.5