J.M. "Carp" Carpenter

PALO PINTO – J.M. "Carp" Carpenter, 81, of Lake Palo Pinto, died Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009, in Fort Worth.

Service is 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at Lone Camp Baptist Church, with Rev. Steve Lindsey and Rev. Randy Lawrence. Burial will follow in New Hope Cemetery under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home in Strawn. The family will receive friends for visitation 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the Church by the Lake.

Carp was born May 12, 1928, in Grow, Texas, to Jolly Marlin Murphy and Sarah Augusta (Bell) Carpenter. He married Genelle Brooks on Dec. 31, 1946, in Roaring Springs, Texas. Carp started his first job for the public as an apprentice welder at the age of 13 in his father's blacksmith shop in Roaring Springs. He welded a muffler back on an 8 N Ford Tractor; he went on to become a certified pipeline welder and inspector, working all through the United States and overseas. He could fabricate anything in metal. Carp served during World War II in the Army Air Corps. After retiring, they moved to Lake Palo Pinto, where he built boat docks, helped various people in need and was a member of The Church by the Lake.

He is survived by his wife, Nell Carpenter, of Lake Palo Pinto; five children, Ronald Carpenter, of Dublin, Texas, Retha Nance and husband, Harry, of Dublin, Reba Deming, of Fort Worth, Rodney Carpenter and wife, Kathie, of Stephenville, and Randall Carpenter and wife, Corey, of Weatherford; six siblings, Lewis Carpenter, of Lubbock, Texas, Ola Faye Fish, of Lubbock, Marie Judd and Betty Mullins, both of Arlington, Texas, Devonne Dillard, of Roaring Springs, and Kay Spiller, of Lake Palo Pinto; nine grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Dick Carpenter; a sister, Murtis Denison; and a great-granddaughter, Kendal Leigh Simmons.

The family request donations be made to Lighthouse Mission Ministry, 6280 FM Road 913, Stephenville, TX 76401.

Edwards Funeral Home