Harold G. Carpenter, 81, went home to be with his Lord on Wednesday, October 29, 2014 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s/Dementia. He was born on June 20, 1933 to Holly Fannin Carpenter and Stephen Overton Carpenter in Best, Texas.
Harold graduated from Santa Paula Union High School in 1950. On July 4, 1953, Harold married the love of his life, Dixie Armstrong Abbiatti in Amarillo, TX while stationed at Amarillo Air Force Base. Shortly afterward, Harold was transferred to Walker Air Force Base at Roswell, NM, where they spent the remainder of his service in the Air Force. Harold and Dixie celebrated their 61st Wedding Anniversary this year.
Harold had a very busy life, having served four years in the Air Force, 29 years with the Santa Paula Fire Department, along with 32 years of employment at Texaco. Intertwined with these years were many years of coaching Little League Baseball, officiating high school football and basketball, playing baseball, golf and bowling, taking college courses and enjoying traveling and camping trips with family & friends. Much of Harold’s life was surrounded by his family, church service & activities, and the Santa Paula Fire Department, whose members he always had a soft spot in his heart for. The entire Carpenter family holds the fire department near and dear to their hearts to this day. A godly influence in Harold’s life was a special couple: The late James Fraysier and his wife Deborah Fraysier. The couple attended church with the Carpenters and James was a basketball coach at Santa Paula Union High School for several years.
Harold’s goal in life, besides the ultimate heavenly one of which he has now accomplished, was to help those around him with whatever needs he could meet. It has been said of Harold, that although he may have been gruff and tough on the outside, he was quite the teddy bear on the inside. Harold was well known and respected in and around Ventura County and was loved by many. He will be greatly missed, especially by his family, and no doubt all his friends.
Harold leaves his wife, Dixie and three children: Gordon Carpenter (Kathy) of Sandy, UT; Cheryl Carpenter of Santa Paula; Luanna Keel (Michael) of Lakeland, FL. Granddaughters: Becky Dunehew (Cary) of Draper, UT; Mariah Volpe (Dan) of West Valley, UT; Amberly Thorsen (Dallas) of Magna, UT; Amanda Law (Billy) & Heather Keel, all of Lakeland, FL. He leaves nine great grandchildren; Myles and Ethan Dunehew, Lilly Volpe and twin sisters, Emily and Megan Volpe; Cody and Jace Thorsen; Madelyn and Liam Law. Harold also leaves behind a brother, Dan Carpenter (Dixie) of Vista, CA and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
The Carpenter family would like to thank Paz Gonzalez and her staff at the Palms Bonaventure Memory Care Unit, Janet Coleman & Livingston Nurses, as well as Dr. Dial of Hospice for their exceptional care of Harold during the last two months of his life. Donations on behalf of Harold may be made to Livingston Nurses.
A graveside service for Harold Carpenter will be held this Friday, November 7, 2014 at 11am at the Pierce Brothers Santa Paula Cemetery 380 Cemetery Rd, Santa Paula. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Skillin-Carroll Mortuary 738 East Santa Paula Street, Santa Paula.
