Frederick Furman Carpenter

Fred was born November 5, 1950 in Greenville, SC. Fred lived his entire life in Greenville, other than his college years at the University of South Carolina, and was one of the city's most passionate ambassadors. Fred was married to his best friend and ever present companion, Marian McGinty Carpenter, for 48 years. Fred was the proud and loving father of his two sons, Tom and Neal Carpenter, a devoted father-in-law to Leah Carpenter (Tom) and Katherine Carpenter (Neal), and an adoring “Pop” to four grandchildren, Ellie, Ansley, Addis and Zuri. In addition, Fred is survived by his only and amazing sister, Martha Shaleuly (Jerry), brother Bill Carpenter (Terri), and sister-in-law Linda Carpenter. Fred was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Martha Carpenter and his brother, Rick Carpenter, Jr. (Linda).

Fred was a devoted follower of Christ and was a lifelong member and elder at Westminster Presbyterian Church, where his parents were founding members. Fred spent most of his professional career as a commercial lender and became market executive at American Federal/CCB/Suntrust Bank. Throughout his career and eventual retirement, Fred’s ultimate passion was his service in the nonprofit and civic sectors. Fred served for decades as a board chair, board member and fundraising co-chair for Gateway House, a residential and holistic rehabilitation community for adults living with mental illness that provides a lasting impact for the most fragile members of the Greenville community. Fred served as a board member for Clubhouse International, an organization which founded and promotes the clubhouse model similar to organizations like Gateway House around the world. Fred served two terms as an at-large member of Greenville City Council, where he helped lay the long-term foundational vision and strategy for Greenville to become the thriving and growing city that it is today. Additionally, Fred served on the boards of Faith Chapel, the Peace Center for the Performing Arts, the YMCA Endowment, the Greenville Chamber of Commerce and the Greenville Health Authority.

Known for his vivid storytelling, impersonations, jokes and deep loyalty, Fred loved and was loved by a myriad of lifelong friends and colleagues, many of whom he had known since childhood. In addition, Fred’s passionate support for organizations serving adults living with mental illness was inspired, in part, by his own struggles with mental illness, which he openly shared in an effort to end the stigmatizing of these diseases and for the people who suffer from them to be seen and embraced by their communities.

Fred was an avid cyclist, travel lover and connoisseur of great food. And though he never went to medical school, Fred often considered himself a medical professional. Fred was a passionate Gamecock fan who relished any opportunity to see Clemson defeated, regardless of sport! Fred will be remembered as a man of deep faith who loved his family and friends and served his community.

A worship service will be held for Fred Carpenter on Thursday, October 26th at 5:00 PM at Westminster Presbyterian Church (2310 Augusta St., Greenville, SC 29605) and will be followed by a visitation in the church atrium for friends and family. In lieu of flowers, Fred and his family request that donations may be made to Gateway House, Inc. at www.gateway-sc.org and P.O. Box 4241 Greenville, SC 29608 or to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2310 Augusta St., Greenville, SC 29605.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mackeycenturydrive.com for the Carpenter family.