Vernon Allen Carpenter

Vernon "The Mayor of Gaines Street" Carpenter, 70, of Davenport, Iowa, was called home on March 16, 2026. Vernon was a beloved uplifting presence to those who knew him and someone whose everyday kindness and quick wit made life feel lighter.

Vernon Carpenter was born October 10, 1955 to Theodore and Marlene Carpenter. When he was young, his family moved to the Minnesota area. Vernon attended the Minnesota school district. In 1974 Vernon and his family moved back to the Quad city area where Vernon held many positions at various jobs. He worked for International Harvester Farmall, he also was a manager for Crystal Rentals in Rock Island, he worked for Americold in LeClair, and Vernon set up for events at Hampton Inn/La Quinta Davenport.

Vernon cherished family time, holding close the moments that mattered most and the people who made those moments worth remembering. He enjoyed sitting on his front porch, talking with people and riding his bike, simple pleasures that suited his easygoing spirit and the way he found contentment in the everyday.

Vernon was always looking out for his community. As the “Mayor of Gaines Street,” he became a familiar and welcome figure to many. Several news articles were written about his mayorship, and a parade was held for him as well—an unmistakable reflection of how deeply he was seen, appreciated, and celebrated.

As we go forward in honoring Vernon’s memory, let's remember what he said back in 2016: “It don't cost nothing for a smile or a wave. It's free. Sometimes people be down and they see you and it brings a smile to their face and it makes everybody's day just a little bit better.” In that simple truth is Vern’s legacy—an invitation to be kinder, more present, and a little more willing to lift one another up.

Vernon is survived by his siblings, sister Lillian Carpenter; sister-in-law, Kattie Carpenter; brothers Richard (Connie) Carpenter, and David (Jackie) Carpenter; his son, Rick (Brenda) Thames; his grandkids, Jay (Ellie) Thames, Brandon (Samantha) DeMoulin, and Logan DeMoulin; his great-grandkids, Lyla, Lucy, Lucas, and Teddy; extended family, The Morgans, and special friends Kirk Hunnigan, Robert Coleman, Don Mayes, Jeffrey Buessing, Gus Ruhnke, Scott Searle, Stevie Friedrich, Ed Rogalski, and Allen Hayes. Vernon leaves to mourn a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, his fans, or as Vernon fondly called them, "his constituents".

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Obey Carpenter and Eva Bell Carpenter, maternal grandparents, Alvie and Atlee Hayslett, parents Theodore Carpenter, Marlene Toney and Stepfather Rev. Harold Toney. Four siblings, Kenneth Ray Carpenter Sr., Donna Jean Carpenter, Theodore Carpenter Jr., and Calvin Carpenter, many aunts, uncles and other family.