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BORN
1931
DIED
2017
Albert Carpenter Obituary
9/17/1931 - 3/17/2017
Albert James Carpenter III (Jim, A.J.) Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan on September 17th 1931 to Marion Marquardt Carpenter and Albert James Carpenter II. He leaves behind his loving wife and adventure partner Marion Carpenter of Indio. His brothers Charles Carpenter of Westlake, Ohio and Richard Carpenter and his wife Carolina of Kalamazoo, Michigan. His daughter Cheryl Anne Riggs and her husband Gregory of Salem Oregon.
His sons Jon Randall Carpenter died in 2012 and Albert James Carpenter IIII died in 2014.The loss of both sons was very challenging for a private man to accept. Jim's first wife Carol Jean died in 1984.
Jim's grandchildren Charles Christopher Griffin and wife Adrienne Ingham Griffin of Bellingham Washington, Caroline Marie Griffin and fiancé Dominic Keska of Portland Oregon, Maxine Carpenter of Jupiter, Florida and Jamie Carpenter of Washington D.C.
Marion's children Alexandra Rollberg Trelak her husband Mark and great grandchildren whom he dearly loved Thomas and Andras Trelak of Palm Springs, California, Udo Hans Rollberg of Redlands California and sister in law Eliane Joyce and husband Edward of Temecula, California.
Jim was industrious from an early age. He loved sharing stories of his entrepreneurial ventures of lemon aid stands, a basement nightclub at his family's home in Battle Creek, MI and a large paper route. He developed an early interest in golf, weekends were spent as a caddy often carrying three bags during a round. Jim had a lifetime passion of golf, he truly mastered the game and took great pride in his handicap. His love of golf initially brought him to the desert 1977.
Jim graduated with honors from Ohio State University with masters degree in mechanical engineering and was immediately recruited by Hughes Aircraft in California. This began the great adventure of leaving the Midwest and extended family and moving with his wife Carol and baby daughter to California.
His professional career included Hughes Aircraft, Eastern Industries and his own company Hydrokinetics in Carlsbad, CA. He was a brilliant engineer, solving problems and creating solutions were his passions. His work led to major innovation in the airline and medical industry.
He loved adventure and travel, as a young father he planned detailed summer trips with his family, crisscrossing the US. Jim and Marion traveled extensively around the world. They loved trips in their motor home.
Jim was a complex man of simple needs. He was a thoughtful decisive man who loved to " share his opinions " with great conviction!
The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to Charter Hospice and Caleo Bay Memory Care in La Quinta for their support and care of Jim during the last month of his life.
At Jim's request the memorial service will be private.
To view and sign this guestbook, please visit:
desertsun.com/obituaries.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Albert Carpenter
Sponsored by thedesertsun.com.
Marion Carpenter
March 21, 2025
I will always love you !
Marion
Marion Carpenter
October 6, 2022
Jimmy, We miss you so very much.
Love always,
Marion Thomas and Andreas
Kathy Adams (Carpenter)
March 20, 2022
Now all three brothers, with their wives and three of their sons are together in heavenly peace. I remember my dad, aunts, uncles and cousins with fond memories and I thank them for those.
Loved reading Uncle Jim´s obituary again. He was a great, highly intelligent and very interesting man. God bless us all Carpenter clan
Lynn (Carpenter) Hardman
April 15, 2017
Thank you for the memories Uncle Jim! Like my father Dick Carpenter and siblings Kathy and David, I remember adventures in California with his beautiful family that seemed larger than life. My heart goes out to Marion and Cheryl and their loved ones for all their care at the end of his life and for their loss. I wish everyone in Jim's branch of the Carpenter tree well and hope to somehow get to share more memories.
Kathy Adams
March 30, 2017
I didn't know you well Uncle Jim, but I have all good memories of visiting you, Aunt Carol, Cheryl, Jim and Jon at your home in Carlsbad. I adored you all-you were all so handsome, active and fun! I remember flying kites with Jon sending little paper messages to heaven up the string and him riding his dirt bike (so exciting!) Jim as Igor chasing us around the pool and Cheryl just being drop dead gorgeous! Riding in your station wagon and the La Brea Tar Pits. Those were the glory days.
Thank you for visiting Dale and I in Seattle and the tent you gave us. It made me realize how much you loved the great outdoors life.
Your life's work is so impressive. It's easy to understand why my dad and Uncle Chuck say how smart and successful you were. You made so much of your life, but you also endured such tragedy and loss. You must have been a very strong man. I'm sorry I didn't get to know you better.
Marion and Cheryl - Dad tells me what good care you gave him in these last years. Love and goodness for what you strong women did for him when he needed it the most.
Love, Kathy (Carpenter) Adams
Caroline
March 27, 2017
I love you Grandpa.
Brother Charlie Carpenter
March 27, 2017
I was always so proud of Jim! He was my "BIG" brother. Smartest man I ever knew! My heart goes out to you, Marion. You really took care of Jim! Hope all remains well for you! I send my love to Cheryl and you. Please stay in touch. Uncle Charlie
Mark Libby
March 26, 2017
Rest In Peace Uncle Jim.
David Carpenter
March 26, 2017
I miss my Uncle Jim now and for as long as I will live. I remember his great wit, humor and wonderment for all things physical, mechanical and geo-political. Jim had a great and sharp problem solving approach to the physical world which I loved to hear. Over the eighties and till the early two thousand, I enjoyed visiting him and the loves of his life in California with my family. Jim was so funny and sarcastic. He loved such quality ladies that I truly love; Carol, Penny and Marion. God, Bless you Penny and Marion. My cousins, Jim and Carol's children; Cheryl, Jim (Albert) Jr. and Jon have given me memories of fun, laughter and adventure my entire life! I now see Jim Jr's daughter, Jamie is in DC! like me! this tribute to my Uncle Jim has prompted me to seek her out now.
May the Lord of Heaven, Earth and all Creation, keep Jim's soul and may I see Jim again.
Love and Devotion, David Carpenter
Penny Carpenter
March 26, 2017
Memories......Memories.....Memories
Thinking of the family at this time
March 26, 2017
Goodbye Brother Jim,
I was so lucky to have an older brother like you. You introduced me to so many interesting and fun things. Map reading, astronomy, archeology, woodworking, and sports (especially golf), just to name a few.
Your incredible work ethic set the standard in our family. You were always earning money in order to attend college (OU, Kent State, and finally OSU), buy that bright yellow Chevy convertible, and to woo Carol.
I lucked out again when you moved your new family (Cheryl was born in Columbus) to California. Mom, Dad, and I soon had to drive out there to visit you. What a great USA experience that was for me!
Thanks Jim. I will miss you,
Dick
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