Gerald L. ("Jerry") Carpenter

Gerald L. (“Jerry”) Carpenter, 88, of Bloomington, IN and Ocala, Florida, passed away Tuesday morning, June 26, 2012 at Golden Living Center in Bloomington. Born in Indianapolis on January 9, 1924, and raised in Spencer and Adel, he was the son of Ralph W. and Grace E. (Knoll) Carpenter.

A 1941 graduate of Spencer High School, he began his studies in chemistry at Indiana University. After serving in WW II in the Army in the Pacific, he returned to change and complete his BS degree in petroleum geology. During that time, he was captain of the rifle team and earn his I-man status. He worked at the Geological Survey at Indiana University, eventually as head of the petroleum section of the Survey, retiring in 1990 after 35 years of service.

He was named a Sagamore of the Wabash by Governor Orr, and was also Kentucky Colonel.

Jerry's active memberships included 57 years in the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, and the American Legion Post 18. He also served many years on the board of the Bloomington Pops Orchestra, and the Picnic With The Pops Committee, which gave him immense pleasure. He loved IU sports and attended football and basketball games for more than 50 years. He loved fishing, playing horseshoes, cards of all kinds, golf, Carroms, bowling, gardening, traveling, and especially hunting for morel mushrooms. A member of the Official Die Hard Cubs Fan Club since 1924, he was faithful to his Cubbies to the end.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Shirley A. (Young), his second wife, Vivian L. (McGuire), brothers Ralph Wayne Jr., and Gordon,D., sisters Polly Ann, Taletha Lavaun (“Bonnie”) Miller, and Oweta (“Jane”) Jeffris, his brothers-in-law Henry A. Young, Arthur C. Young, Pete D. Miller, George Fox, William Waddell, Malcolm G. Jeffris II; and sisters-in-law Janie Waddell and Shirley (Art) Young.

He is survived by one sister and a brother-in-law: Hilda Joyce “Peach” Miller (Eugene); sisters-in-law: Jean Carpenter, Janice Fox, Donna Young, and Cheryl Young; two sons: Michael C. Carpenter (Cheryl) of Tucson, AZ; Mark S. Carpenter (Andrew Gonzalez) of Austin, TX; one daughter: Carole A.C. Canfield (David) of Bloomington; two step-sons: David McGuire of Bloomington; Thomas J. McGuire of Bloomington; one step-daughter: Linda McGuire (Curt McMahan) of Mitchell, IN; five grandchildren: Eric Carpenter (Leah) of Charlottesville, VA; Caryn Carpenter (Debbie Becher) of New York City, NY; Robert McGuire, DJ McGuire, and Joshua McGuire, all of Bloomington; three great-grandchildren: Renee Carpenter, Trevor Carpenter, and Kendall Mae McGuire; and several nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Prior to his illness he was a member of Sherwood Oaks Christian Church of Bloomington, and then of Central Christian Church of Ocala, FL.

The family would like to express their great appreciation to home caregivers Kim and Travis Jenkins, Ben Walker, Jon Pryor, Forest Gafford, Aseracare Hospice, and especially the staff and residents of Golden Living Center for their support and excellent care.

Funeral services to celebrate his life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 30, 2012 at Day Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Valhalla Memory Gardens where the Veterans Honor Guard will have military rites. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, June 29, 2012 at Day Funeral Home and from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.DayFuneralServices.com