Avis de décès de James-Edward Carpenter - Nécrologie - MesAieux.com

James E. Carpenter, age 81, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., passed away July 23, 2009, after a courageous battle with rheumatoid arthritis. The son of Benton E. Carpenter and Edna Mamie Bond, he was born in Evergreen, Ala., on May 13, 1928. Raised in a large family of seven siblings (four brothers and two sisters) in the country, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing baseball, football and basketball. After high school he attended college and graduated from "Mississippi Southern," now known as Southern Mississippi. Although if you asked him he would claim to be a "Bama" fan through and through. James enjoyed a four-year stint, being commissioned on Dec. 4, 1953, as a Naval aviator. While on leave, attending a local basketball game, he met the love of his life, Jene Brown. After dating for about one year they married and moved to San Diego, their first big move away from the little towns of Alabama. But James and Jene both longed to be back home with family and friends and upon completion of his tour of duty he relinquished his commission and became self-employed as an insurance claims adjuster, a position he held until retiring in 1992 after 40 years. James is survived by his wife of 56 years, Jene of Fort Walton Beach; and their children, Jan Carpenter of Three Rivers, N.M., Jim Carpenter and wife Beth of Destin, Fla., and Ken Carpenter and wife Cathie of Shalimar, Fla.; four granddaughters, Morgan Hill of Three Rivers, Becca Carpenter of Shalimar, Jamie Hill of Fort Davis, Texas, and Mallory Carpenter of Destin; two grandsons, Garret Carpenter of Destin, and Ross Carpenter of Shalimar; three brothers, Bill Carpenter of Dallas, Bob Carpenter of Fort Walton Beach, and Ben Carpenter of Hendersonville, N.C.; and one sister, Katherine Howington of Congers, Ga. He was preceded in death by his parents: mother, Edna Mamie; and father, Benton E.; daughter, Cindy; brother, Rex; and sister, Rai. James was an avid fisherman, golfing and sports fan and loved birding and gardening. Cinco Baptist was his church home for over 35 years. He was a Deacon, taught Sunday school classes, and was a member of the seniors group. A memorial Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 p.m. at Cinco Baptist Church on Sunday, July 26, with a reception to follow in the fellowship hall. Family members are asking that, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cinco Baptist Church Building Fund, and to the Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation.