Chauncey Leighton Carpenter Jr.

Chauncey Leighton Carpenter, Jr., 89, passed away peacefully on December 2, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia. Chauncey, or “Bud” to his family and friends, was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who always put the needs of his family ahead of his own.

Born to Chauncey and Alice Carpenter in Wellington, Ohio on August 9, 1935, Bud spent his formative years in Granville, Massachusetts before moving to Michigan, where he graduated from Saginaw High School in 1953.

Bud attended Michigan Technological University on scholarship, where he was an Army ROTC cadet and earned a degree in mining engineering in 1957. He went on to serve in the United States Army Corps of Engineers as a First Lieutenant, stationed in Fontenet, France, where he enjoyed exploring the countryside in his black Triumph TR3.

It was during his time in France that a mutual friend introduced Bud to Jacqueline Perrin, who would become the love of his life. They married on August 24th, 1959 and, upon his discharge, returned to the United States and settled in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he took a job with Alcoa. They welcomed the birth of a daughter, Laurie Lee Carpenter, in 1960, and shortly afterwards he was transferred to Suriname.

Upon returning to the United States once again in 1963, Bud began what would become a 34-year career in manufacturing with Union Camp Corporation in Trenton, New Jersey. He and Jackie welcomed the birth of a son, Brett Andrew Carpenter, in 1971. He travelled extensively in Europe and Asia as part of his job, including a two-year stint in Ireland. He was proud of his travels and made many good friends along the way. Bud was respected by his colleagues for his competence, work ethic, and kindness. A true engineer, he was happiest walking the factory floor in a hard hat and steel-toed shoes.

Eventually settling in Savannah, Georgia, Bud retired in 1997 and enjoyed taking walks along the marsh, reading, doing projects around the house, and watching the Atlanta Braves. For the past two years, he lived close to family and friends at St. Anne’s Terrace in Atlanta.

Bud is survived by his wife, Jacqueline Carpenter; his brother, Richard Carpenter (Heidi); his son, Brett Carpenter (Kathryn); his son-in-law, Joseph Fenton; and his grandchildren, Hillary Fenton, Jack Fenton, Leighton Carpenter, Powers Carpenter, and Mary Perrin Carpenter. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Laurie Carpenter Fenton, and his sister, Beverly Lewis.

Bud will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

A visitation will be held from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM on December 20th at St. Anne’s Terrace, 3100 Northside Parkway NW, Atlanta, GA 30327.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choosing.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the staff at Piedmont Hospital.