Michael Donald Carpenter, age 73, a former resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, and more recently of Joplin, Missouri, passed away Sunday, June 23, 2024, at his home with his wife and sons at his side after suffering from dementia.
Mike had a tragic fall in August of 2023, and has been on hospice care ever since.
Mike was born October 24, 1950, in Ft. Scott, the son of Donald Lee Carpenter and Margaret Lorene Bowles Carpenter. Mike married Linda Faye West on May 28, 1970, at Liberal, Missouri. This union was blessed with two sons, Brian Michael and Brad Russell.
Mike worked in the printing industry for forty years. He was employed as a pressman at both Ft. Scott and Girard.
Mike was passionate about baseball. He loved coaching his sons’ little league teams. Many of the boys he coached still keep in touch to this day. He also loved fishing and hunting and watching the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals
Some other of Mike’s favorite things were his 1969 Red Mach 1 Mustang, watching John Wayne movies, listening to Elvis and Creedence Clearwater Revival, as well as hunting mushrooms each spring.
While living in Ft. Scott, Mike attended the Diamond Community Church.
Mike and Linda made many memories over their fifty-three years of marriage. They were able to take several memorable trips to Santa Fe, New Mexico, Lake Tahoe in California and Cancun, Mexico (where Mike was almost detained.) Playing Keno together was also a favorite pastime.
Mike enjoyed reading history and having a good conversation. He often reminisced about his teenage friends in Arcadia, Kansas. Mike’s number one priority was taking care of his wife, Linda, and their family. He always wore a smile and lived and loved life to its fullest.
Survivors include his wife, Linda, of the home in Joplin and his cherished sons, Brian Carpenter (Amy) of Grove, Oklahoma and Brad Carpenter (Bri) of Carthage, Missouri; two beautiful granddaughters, Kaylee and MacKenzie; and four awesome step-grandchildren, Ledger, Brooklin Mason and Jerrica. Also surviving are a brother, Jim Carpenter of Arma, Kansas and sisters-in-law, Brinda Bolton (Mark) of Ft. Scott and Drinda Farrell of Paola, Kansas and many special nieces, nephews and cousins as well as life-long best friends, Dan and Judy Buckmaster and sons, Chad and Chris of Checotah, Oklahoma. Their families made many happy memories taking trips and raising their boys together.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Debbie and a brother, Steve.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Monday, July 1st at the Cheney Witt Chapel.
Following services, there will be cremation and a private burial will take place at a later date at the Shiloh Cemetery in Liberal, Missouri.
Memorials are suggested to the Shiloh Cemetery Association and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.