Custer Carpenter Obituary

CUSTER S. CARPENTER of Temecula, California, joined the love of his life "Win" in heaven for the rest of eternity, September 4, 2010. Born in 1916, in Crow Agency, Montana, near the battlefield famous for General Custer\'s last stand, he was raised and schooled in Hutchinson, Kansas. Service in World War II allowed him to meet and marry, Winfred "Win" McFarlane of Australia. Custer, his new bride and two daughters eventually settled in Buena Park, California. He began teaching school and also worked summers in the local building industry. Known as Carpenter the "Carpenter" his carpentry work can still be seen in some of the schools in the area. He retired from Lakewood High in 1979, after providing almost 3 decades of service to the Long Beach Unified School District. As an octogenarian, he began working at Home Depot in Murrieta, CA, where he served as the "Key Man" and friend and mentor to many. His true retirement years were spent at his Temecula home gardening and visiting his family, neighbors and friends. He is survived by his daughter Denise Kaatz of Bullhead City, AZ; sister, Elva Duffield; 3 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for Friday, September 10, 2010, 11am at Forest Lawn in Cypress, CA.

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Published by The Press-Enterprise on Sep. 9, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Custer Carpenter

2 Entries

Manuel Dolim

February 15, 2011

Mr Carpenter
He was, not only to me but two other students from high school wood shop, a true craftsman and a leader. It was his insparation that lead us to become carpenters ourselfs. I remember that we really didnt know his first name at the time but soon learned it later. And we dare not make fun or even comment on the fact that he was missing a finger. As with most high school students in shop class, we knew it all already, and found out very soon that you couldnt get away with anything in that class. He ran it like a construction site and rules were rules. I would watch Carp as we called him observe the students in the class, we had to always ask permission before using any machines, but soon we would build the confidence that Carp needed and we were on our way to becoming the skilled students that he produced. He ran the shop with strict procedures, and you had to toe the line or were asked to sit the class out. He deffenetly didnt like smart a--es and we had the oppertunity to see one press that fateful button.
Carp carried in his wallet a photo of himself when he was in WW2, it was a boxing photo when he was a golden glove boxer. So he says, but it was a message to all who listened, Dont mess with me, and we didnt.
Carp was stern, punctual and to the point, ontime, and all bissnes. This was his way of preparing us for the real world. And to our amazment this was exactly how the real wold was in the construction trade. There are no slacers in the carpentry trade, if you are not 110% every day you were gone the next.
I remember the first day I went to carpenter apprentiship school in Long Beach city collage when I joined the Carpenters Union, and to my amazement were those two other students I mentioned earlier. One night when school let out early me and my friend Troy went to Carps house in Buena Park. We told him that we were in the apperentiship program and working as apperentices for big time contractors in the real world. His comment was "so youve desided to listen to the old man anyways". Yep we did and here we are.
High school was 32 years ago and although I havent seen my friend in some time, I have heard that he just like myself are still active in the trade and have climed the career ladder all the way up to Superinterndent.
And it all started with the basics, in a high school woodshop class, with a onry old man who drove some sence into our heads, with a vision we couldnt see, but Carp did.
When the subject come up as to how it all began, It was Carp whom played a major role in this. I always tell people "Never forget where you came
from" Carpenter was my mentor for those who knew him.
Manuel A Dolim
Turlock, Ca
Carpenters local 152
Manteca Ca.

p f

October 1, 2010

Custer... Oh, what a sweet man! I worked with Custer at Home Depot. When I walked near his department.. I would look for him just to call him "Mustard" and hear him giggle. I loved hearing his giggle.. he was so sweet! I love this man. His kept his house super neat and had a beautiful garden. I loved his message on his house phone.. he said"' you have reached Custers super duper answering service!" That message is not longer there.. but I still hear it in my head.. LOVE IT!
I had a long break between clients one day and decided to give him a call.. It had been a while and at 94 years old.. well.. I knew he was up there quite a bit in age and had tumors. God knew and had me take him to lunch. Custer wanted to go to Ziggys. He insisted on paying and I would not let him. The cashier hurried up and ran my card. He said.. next time I'm going to treat you!! I told him I would let him and bring my six year old son along too! ( ; My son had met Custer a couple years ago.. but I wanted him to see him one more time. I planned(in my mind) on calling him the following week but I got busy.. then the next week! then the next and I knew that it would not be as easy to get to take my son along since he would be starting school on Sept 7th. So I planned on giving Custer a call on Monday so we could meet for lunch. Unfortunately, I got a call from his daughter the day before, telling me he had passed. It was not a good feeling... I wanted to see him one more time!!!!
I will just say, I carry his memory card in my car with me.. my heart smiles every time I notice it and think of Custer. I love his name! Custer Carpenter.. an AMAZING carpener he was!! His center piece on his dinning table was a pineapple he had carved out of wood.. I don't think pineaples are very attractive but had you seen his work...Custer can make anything look good!
I've heard taps it tugs at your heart... when I heard it at Custer funeral, every single blow of the trumpet felt like my heart was being pulled out of my chest. It was very saddening and very painful to know that Custer was no longer with us. I heard many sniffles around during and immediately after that. I know Custer is with our Father.. we are His children and Custer was a good son of the Lord. I look forward to seeing my friend again someday.. That thought brings me great joy!! For now.. Custer continues to live here on earth right in the hearts of the many people that love him!!
Priscilla Ferster

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