David Carpenter

On February 3, 2026, David Dallis "Goose" Carpenter joined the friends and family members waiting for him on heaven's 1st tee. Born June 25, 1941, to Leroy "Skip" and Ruth Carpenter, Dave was a lifelong resident of Holt, MI and became a well-known and well-liked member of the Holt community. As a young man he took on the nickname "Goose" due to his ability to palm a basketball, a feat made famous by legendary Harlem Globetrotter Goose Tatum. Many a friend referred to Dave as "Goose" or "Gooser" his entire adult life.

As a young father, Dave chose to become a barber, beginning his career in a shop located under Kean's five and dime in Mason. After serving in a tank unit in the Army during the Vietnam War, he bought a shop in Holt and named it Rams Barber Shop after the Holt High School mascot. Over the 50+ years he operated it, Rams became a Holt institution, serving as a social and conversational hub as well as a barber shop. Few days went by without a friend dropping in to share a cup of coffee and the latest town gossip, and local officials often stopped by to ask Dave what he was hearing from the community.

Dave's greatest passions were family, friends, golf and Holt High School athletics. He was a very good golfer and his Tuesday night men's and Friday night couple's leagues were the focal points of his summers. His "home" course was Eldorado in Mason, but Dave loved to take golf vacations with friends at courses all over Michigan. He especially enjoyed his trips to Maggie Valley in North Carolina, which provided material for endless humorous stories. Dave was a huge fan and supporter of Holt High School athletics. He was a member of the Holt Athletics Booster Club and worked various jobs at home football games into his 70's.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents and both siblings, Douglas Carpenter and Virginia "Ginny" Dietrich. He sadly also saw the passing of his son and daughter-in-law, Dave and Debbie Carpenter, as well as many good friends including Don Livensparger, Tom Garland and Gary Wilcox to name only a few. Dave was also preceded in death by his longtime companion and golf partner, Jane Doyle.

He is survived by two sons, Scott (Monique) Carpenter and Nick Carpenter, grandchildren Ryan (Rachel) Carpenter, Allica (Jared) Beckwith, Colin Carpenter, Morghan (Jay) Rustenholtz, Kasey (Sawyer) McFadden, Brindlea Peterson, Jack Carpenter and Kadyn Reisterer, as well as 9 (soon to be 10) great grandchildren. Dave is also survived by many friends, including his oldest and closest friend Bob Tuttle.

The family would like to thank the staffs at Heritage Village Apartments, Holt Senior Care and Rehab, and the Craft Senior Home for the care they provided Dave in his final years.

Donations can be made in Dave's name to the Holt Athletics Booster Club and the American Heart Association.

Dave's family will hold a Celebration of Life gathering at a later date.