Gerald Lee Carpenter Sr., 83, of Mulberry, passed away on Thursday, January 25, 2018, at I.U. Health Arnett Hospital in Lafayette.
He was born February 27, 1934, in Owen County, to William Jennings and Martha Jane (McIntyre) Carpenter. Gerald married Darlene Thomas on November 25, 1954 at the Shelby Street Church of Christ in Indianapolis; she survives in Mulberry. They had lived between the Thorntown and Mechanicsburg areas for many years before moving to Mulberry.
Gerald graduated from Tech High School in Indianapolis. Shortly after high school, he served in the US Navy Reserves. In his early years, Gerald had worked for the Sunglo/Checker Station in Frankfort. He had worked for many Kroger stores, starting in Indianapolis in 1965, before moving to Frankfort. He had been active with the Indiana Standard Bred Association for 50 years training and racing Standard Bred horses. He loved boating, piloting small planes and Westerns. Gerald was a member of the Christian Church in Mechanicsburg where he had been a Sunday school teacher.
In addition to his wife, Gerald is survived by his daughter, Robin (Gary) Lahrman of Mulberry; sons, Gerald Lee (Tammy) Carpenter Jr. of Frankfort, Brian (Lydia) Carpenter of Peru, and Mark Carpenter (Fiancée, Carrie Higgins) of Ohio; sisters, Kay (Wes) Birden of Florida, and Suzanne (Dave) Bibler of Indianapolis; sister-in-law, Mary Carpenter; brother-in-law, Benton Kemp; five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Gerald is preceded in death by his parents, brother, William Jennings Carpenter Jr.; and a sister, Valrie June Kemp.
Visitation will be held on Monday, January 29, 2018, at Genda Funeral Home-Mulberry Chapel, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at the funeral home with Pastor Brent James officiating. Burial will follow in Green Lawn Cemetery. Memorials in Gerald’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Online condolences may be directed to http://www.gendafuneralhome.com