James Edward Carpenter

James Edward "Jim" Carpenter, 86, died Tuesday, May 24, 2016 in Elizabethton, TN, with a daughter by his side. One of thirteen children, he was born on October 12, 1929 in Three Rivers, MI to Leslie Loren and Lena Jeannette (Drake) Carpenter. They both preceded him in death. He married Gloria Jean Farley on September 12, 1949 in Centreville, MI, who preceded him in death on April 17, 1997. He later married Helen Beatrice (Wilyard) Gerontinos on January 26, 2002, who preceded him in death on December 6, 2012. At the age of 16, Jim enlisted in the US Army Air Forces, and proudly served in the U. S. Air Force for 20 years, spanning the World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War eras until retiring in 1966. In civilian life, he worked as a Union Plumber Pipefitter and enjoyed his Indiana farm. After retiring from the union he lived in Florida for a few years, then eventually settled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee. He enjoyed researching geneology, watching auto racing on TV, and caring for his small "farm". He had a quick wit and dry sense of humor and a real passion for life. He was proud of and devoted to his family. Jim was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Order of Eastern Star, AmVets, DAV and DAV Honor Guard, Veterans of Underage Military (VUMS) and the Three Wars Veterans Association of America. He is survived by his sister, Vada (Richard) Kline, Lake Havasu City, AZ ; his 5 daughters: Diana (Ernie) Martino, Palm Coast, FL; Dawn (Mark) Hendricks, Pigeon Forge, TN; Darcy (Ramon) Morton, Auburn, IN; Daryn (Jeff) Vassau; Black Mountain, NC; and Darla (Rod) Shelburne, Warsaw, IN; 9 grandchildren: Matthew Myers, Amanda Bockart, Frances Boyes, Andrew (Mary) Morton, John (Karin) Morton, Laura Morton, Kyle Vassau, Lindsey Scott and Lauren Shelburne; 8 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by 4 sisters: Thelma Granger, Virginia Kohls, Mildred Fitch, and Beatrice Crouch; and by 6 brothers: Wesley (Burl), Lester, Loren, Leslie (Chic), Rolland (Rex), and Ronald (Ray); a grandson, and nieces and nephews. A memorial service to honor his life will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Warsaw IN. A service of interment with full military honors will follow later this summer at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to a charity of your choice. Family and friends may sign the guest register on line at.www.manesfuneralhome.com Arrangements by Manes Funeral Home

James Edward Carpenter

October 12, 1929 - May 24, 2016