Fred Alan Carpenter, Jr. of Houston passed away from Alzheimer’s complications on Wednesday, the 12th December 2018. He was born in Brownwood, Texas on the 19th of September 1940 to Fred A. Carpenter and Nancy Renfro Carpenter. Fred grew up in Brownwood where his family owned and operated the beloved Renfro Drug Store. In eighth grade at the Brownwood movie theater, handsome Fred met his love of his life and later wife of almost 53 years, Bette Barcus Carpenter. They courted throughout their teenage years and married after college graduation.
Fred attended University of Pennsylvania for his undergraduate years. He was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and also played football. His peers were smitten with his Southern charm and his West Texas drawl, and affectionately called him “Tex Carpenter.” Although he was a Texas boy at heart, Fred treasured his 4 years at Penn.
Upon graduation, Fred began his lifelong career in the life insurance and group health benefits business. After Bette and Fred married, they lived briefly in Philadelphia and Chicago before “coming home” to Houston. Fred’s insurance business thrived and for the last 20 years before retirement, he was Principal of Fred Carpenter and Associates.
Fred had a enviable gift of naturally being able to balance his work life with his family life and his personal passions. He loved to play tennis and was a dedicated member of the Briar Club. Whether on the the tennis court or in the Board Room, Fred was at the Briar Club daily, always with a smile on his face. He served as Briar Club President in 1984. He also loved to hunt and fish and became quite adept at bow hunting by practicing in his own backyard.
Fred served St. Luke’s Methodist Church and his Lord loyally and joyfully for over 40 years, first as Sunday school attendance secretary and then as a dedicated member of the Usher’s Guild. Fred hated to miss a Sunday in the sanctuary. His favorite was the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. Fred was known for his debonaire dress and beautiful ties and his genuine affection for those around.
Most important to Fred, however, was his family. He was a dedicated husband to Bette and to their only child, Clare Carpenter Leppert. Always willing to help, Fred could be found assisting at one of Bette and Clare’s real estate open houses or acting as ultimate host at one of the Carpenter’s many parties. Fred rose to perhaps his biggest challenge in 2008 when Clare’s husband, Mike Leppert, passed away, leaving Clare and her two young children, Katie and Lake, without a husband and father. Fred jumped in, being an amazing presence in his grandchildren’s daily lives, which was the greatest gift he could have ever given. We will miss our “Boppy.”
Fred was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Bette, and his son-in-law Michael Leppert. He is survived by his daughter, Clare, his grandchildren Katie, Lake and Leigh, his brother, Richard Carpenter of Brownwood, and his sister Cathryn Harkey of Brownwood. The family wishes to thank Belmont Village Hunters Creek for two years of tender care. With heartfelt gratitude we also recognize Yvonne Gomez, Katherine Johnson, Tracy Levy, and Joni Milton of JM Home Healthcare for being our “Team Fred.”
A memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Thursday, the 20th of December in the sanctuary of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 3741 Westheimer Road in Houston, where Dr. Tom Pace, Senior Pastor is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the Hines Baker Room.
Prior to the service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at the Greenwood Cemetery in Dallas, Texas.
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