Thomas O’Neil Carpenter
Aug. 6, 1931-March 18, 2022
Thomas Carpenter, at the age of 90, went to be with the Lord on March 18, 2022, surrounded by family.
Tom was born in Salladasburg, Pennsylvania, on Aug. 6, 1931, the son of Henry J. and Annie E. Carpenter. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings and eldest son, Tom Jr.
Tom is survived by his wife of 68 years, Evelyn B. Carpenter of Homer, Alaska; His children, Cyndi (Mike) Niehaus of Farmington Hills, Michigan; Debbie (John Down) Carpenter of Anchor Point, Alaska; James (Pamela) Carpenter of Homer, Alaska; Melanie (Dave) Webb of Homer, Alaska. Tom was the proud and amazing Pop-Pop to 10 grandkids and 19 great grandkids.
Tom and Evelyn (Burke) were married in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, at St John’s Lutheran Church in 1954. Over his life Tom worked as a meat-cutter for Cohick’s in Salladasburg before joining the U.S. Marines in 1950 to serve his country as a sergeant during the Korean War. He received a Navy Occupation Medal. Following his military service, he worked as a meat cutter and manager of Kash & Karry, long-haul truck driver, gravel salesman, owner of Tractor Village in Adrian Michigan, and then went on to semi-retire and work on a shrimp fishing boat in Florida. He loved being on the water, fishing with family and friends, and creating many wonderful memories for us all. Tom’s final job during his “semi-retirement” was working for friends as a Hazmat Trainer for Safety Systems before pulling up roots and moving to Alaska in 1997.
Once in Alaska, Tom and Evelyn built their own home and helped each of the three children who followed them up build theirs. The Alaska life was the fulfillment of an adventure Tom and Evie had always dreamed of. Tom enjoyed hunting, fishing, hiking, making new friends, cooking/ baking for family, and tinkering. A caring and devoted husband and father, he was happiest when surrounded by people he loved. Tom was a shining light, quick witted, generous, a great friend, an agitator at times (earning him the nickname “Tommy May-Tag”), the BEST Father, Pop-Pop, and husband we could have hoped for, and will be greatly missed and remembered by all who were blessed enough to know him.
Arrangements will be made for a Celebration of Tom’s life to be held in June at the Anchor Point Senior Center.
In his memory, donations can be made to Hospice of Homer @hospiceofhomer.org.
