Carpenter, John R.

John R. Carpenter joined his beloved wife, Joan (BW), on April 27, 2011, surrounded by family. Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, May 2, at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories, where friends may call after 1:30 p.m. The Rev. Tom Capo of People's Unitarian Universalist Church will officiate. The family welcomes attendees to share memories, stories and remembrances of John's life at the memorial service. Private inurnment will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends are invited to a luncheon at Cottage Grove Place immediately following the services. Arrangements by Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

John was born in Detroit, Mich., on Aug. 24, 1923, to Layton and Olga Carpenter. He served in World War II, first in the Navy Air Corps in 1942 until he crashed a plane. He then re-enlisted in the Marine Corps, where he saw action in Saipan.

He married Joan Gearing on Aug. 19, 1949. They have a son, John Carpenter of Aliso Viejo, Calif., and two daughters, Sue (Hal) Hellentall of Cedar Rapids and Anita Lambert of Amana; grandchildren, Chad Coburn, Shellie Robertson, Adam Lambert, and Jill, Jaimee, Zachery and Caitlin Carpenter; great-grandchildren, Dylan, Nick, Shawn and Kyler; and extended family, the Marks, Hellentalls and Broadie families.

He graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 1948 and began a lifelong career as a partner of Simmons, Perrine, Moyer, Bergman. He served 17 years as the Linn County Civil Service Commissioner as well as serving his community in many aspects.

He enjoyed many years playing handball and he and Joan loved their “second” home in Bequia, West Indies.

He was a friend and mentor to many and will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of the donor's choice in John's honor.

Please leave a message, tribute or memory to John's family on the webpage,    under Obituaries.