Joe was born June 7, 1948, in Orlando, FL, to the late Joseph P. Carpenter, Sr. and Ida Gardner Carpenter.
He served in the US Army and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. Joe was a volunteer with the Cape Fear Literacy Council for 26 years and received the Governor’s Award from Gov. Jim Martin and the Literacy Award from Barbara Bush.
Survivors include his life-partner of 40 years, James R. Powell; sister, Eileen Carpenter Saks (Larry); brother, William Charles Carpenter; special friend, Harold Manning and numerous nieces and nephews.
Joe requested that no services be held, but those wishing to honor his memory may make donations to the Cape Fear Literacy Council or Wounded Warriors.
