John Van Carpenter

Carpenter, John Van
Writer and attorney, John Van Carpenter, 60, passed away at his Santa Fe home on Tuesday, July 26, 2011 after an illness. Born in Athens, Ohio to John Leon Carpenter and Leanore Maxine Stapp Carpenter, he was raised in Phoenix, Arizona. John was interested while growing up in rock collecting, fishing, competitive swimming, playing football/basketball/baseball, and socializing. He graduated from West Phoenix High School, where he was senior class president, held the state record for most rushing yards as a quarterback, and set a state record in breaststroke. John attended Harvard University on a full academic merit scholarship and graduated with honors in 1973. After earning his undergraduate degree, he returned to the Arizona State University College of Law, and after passing the Bar began a career as a lawyer. Later, he decided to follow his passion and become a writer. He wrote poetry, fiction, short stories and novels, and was known as a beautiful, imaginative writer with a great sense of characters and styles. John's writing continued throughout his life. In 2008, he was recognized with an International Award as a newly discovered author. John also worked as a teacher of creative writing at the university level, and worked as an editor for other writers. John's personally defined "best job" was being dad to "da boys," his beloved sons, Wyeth and Ansel. John was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. He is survived by his two teen-aged sons, Wyeth Fox Carpenter and Ansel Fox Carpenter; sisters, Carole Carpenter, Bryn Carpenter Pavek, and Amy Carpenter; brother Dana Carpenter; brother-in-law Christopher Pavek, nieces Sara Birkemeier and Cayla Carpenter; nephew Ryan Carpenter, two aunts, one uncle, and many cousins across the U.S. His marriages to Tannis Fox in 1987 and Catherine Johnson in 2003 ended in divorce. A memorial service and gathering was held on Saturday July 30, 2011, at the Rivera Family of Santa Fe Funeral Chapel in Santa Fe, and condolences may be left at Santefefuneraloption.com.