Gary Everett Carpenter, 69, beloved husband and father, died at home on Nov. 26, 2022. He was born Nov. 15, 1953, in Amityville, N.Y. to Elisabeth Russell Carpenter and Everett Arthur Carpenter.
Gary spent his youth growing up in Plainview N.Y. with his older sister and enjoyed spending his summers along the Long Island shore before leaving for upstate New York and studying at Paul Smith’s College. After graduation, Gary came to Morgantown to further his education at WVU and fell in love not only with the mountains but also with the woman who would become his beloved partner and spouse for the next 39 years.
Gary was a bright and shining light in the community and an easily recognizable face around town. Whether you found him wandering the floors of J.C. Penny for the last 45 years, spotted him at countless local events selling Zul’s Frozen Lemonade or even got to chat with him during his time as a drive-thru teller at BB&T Bank (now Truist), Gary would leave an impression not soon forgotten. You might have even seen him baking pizzas at the West Virginia State Fair outside of Lewisburg every summer since 1976 — a job that he professed to love most of all. Endlessly gregarious and forever jovial, Gary made friends wherever he went, and those who knew him know that his presence will be missed.
By far, Gary’s biggest joy in life was spending time outdoors and sharing that time with his family. He served as the committee chair for the local Boy Scout Troop 49 for over a decade and greatly enjoyed camping, hiking and rafting all over the state. He was also immensely proud to have been chosen to represent the troop in the BSA’s national honor society, the Order of the Arrow. In his limited free time, Gary could often be found lounging on the deck catching the afternoon sun or exploring the back country roads of his adopted mountain home. Gary brought joy and humor wherever he went and will be remembered as a light that touched countless lives for years.
He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Susan Heflin Carpenter; son, Scott Russell Carpenter; sister, Elisabeth Carpenter Abbott and brother-in-law Ray Abbott; brothers-in-law, Edward Heflin and Thomas Heflin; nieces, Elizabeth Cauvel and Erin Quinlan; and nephews, Dan Abbott and Justin Abbott.
A visitation will be held at Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home located at 10 S. High St. in Morgantown, from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2. A memorial service officiated by the Revs. Neil Leftwich and Bart Thompson will be held Saturday in the same location at noon, with an hour of visitation before, beginning at 11 a.m.
Condolences:
fredjenkinsfuneralhome.com
