In memory of

Tommie "Tom" Carpenter

Oct 23, 1947
May 27, 2017

Obituary

On Saturday, May 27, 2017 Tommie “Tom” Ross Carpenter, 69, of Yerington, Nevada went to be with the lord. He passed away unexpectantly from a heart attack at his home in Palm Desert, California. Tom was a loving, generous and charismatic person.

Tom was born on October 23, 1947 in Rugby, North Dakota to Ernest and Marie (McCombs) Carpenter. He had 13 brothers and sisters. Tom spent most of his childhood growing up on a farm and helping to support his family. At just 17 years old he started working at Microflect and traveled all over the United States and Australia. He then decided to start a mobile brake business. It didn’t do as well as he expected so he went back to work for Microflect. On June 27, 1970 he married the love of his life, Ginger  Peterson-Carpenter in Salem, Oregon.  Ginger began to travel with Tom for work until they decided to settle down and start a family. He then opened Tom Carpenter Builder, a very successful company until the 1980’s. That’s when he opened his own tower company, Microwave Tower Service. After a devastating stroke at just 48 he merged the company with Specialty. Although he thought of retiring, he wasn’t ready. With much determination and a lot of hard work he recovered from his stroke. He then purchased a home and cattle Ranch (Sunrise Ranch) in Yerington, Nevada. This was where he felt most at home. When he wasn’t at the ranch you could find him in the garden in Palm Desert, collecting coins, playing in the stock market, driving his vintage cars, or putting together the next business deal.

Tom is survived by his wife Ginger Carpenter, their two daughters, Regan Donofrio and her husband Brian “BJ” Donofrio of Salem, Oregon, and Nicole Douglass of Lake Oswego, Oregon; six grandchildren Elle, Charley and Sloan Donofrio, and Riley, Macy, and Hudson Douglass, and brothers and sisters, Gene Carpenter, Ernie Carpenter, Linda Larson, Nancy Rosin, Pam Kokstis, Penny Smith, Steve Carpenter, Matthew Carpenter, and Cathy Boitz.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Ernest and Marie Carpenter, his grandparents, and 3 brothers Monte Carpenter, David Carpenter, and Shelby Carpenter, and 1 sister Connie Avery.

Tom was a loving father, husband, grandfather and friend to all.

A funeral will be held at 3:00PM, Friday June 16th at Calvary Baptist Church where he has been a member for 45 years. 1230 Liberty Street SE Salem, Oregon 97302. Immediately following will be a Celebration of Life at Illahe Hills Country Club 3376 Country Club Drive Salem, Oregon 97302. There will be a private graveside service for immediate family members at Bellcrest Cemetery. Memorials may be made in his name to limbsforlife.org.

Service Information

Memorial Service
Friday June 16, 2017 @ 3:00 PM
Calvary Baptist Church
1230 Liberty St SE Salem, OR 97302

Celebration of Life
Immediately Following Memorial Service
Illahe Country Club
3376 Country Club Drive S Salem, OR 97302

Messages of Sympathy

  1. Bob Paswalk says:

    It was a shock to hear that Tom had passed away. Tom was a great friend. In the early days we shard apartments together and worked at Microflect at the same time. I will miss him.

  2. Janaire Franco says:

    Miss you Tom

  3. Janaire Franco says:

    Miss you Tom, Thoughts of you and your Family

  4. Buzz and Karen Avery says:

    Our love and prayers are with you as you face this difficult time. What a comfort it is that Tom knew our Lord ! What a wonderful homecoming it will be when you Are united once again! Peace and love to your beautiful family- Lovingly,

  5. Russ and Sandee Coons says:

    Wow what a shock. Sandee said he was the best employer she ever had. We have so many wonderful memories of TC. We will always cherish our memories we made with Tommie. We will miss him. I can still hear him saying " Ya RIGHT " Love You Always Tommie

  6. Sharry Carpenter Nelson says:

    To me..he was bigger than life, My Uncle, My Mentor, My Hero + Wise Council! 4ever your words are+will be enscribed on my Heart. Your love empowered me throughout my life. I was blessed by your tremendous ❤️ Love! Many tears will be shed, but your Legacy will 4ever remain! Bittersweet to say goodbye as you leave us to reunite with loved ones that have gone before you God has the Pearly Gates open wide and a Party is in progress on the streets of gold in Heaven❤️ I love you, xoxo forever my hero!

  7. Laurie Carpenter Mack says:

    Tom was an extraordinary man and a wonderful uncle. He will forever be in my heart and deeply missed by many.

  8. Joe and Kay Sceirine says:

    Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. We will miss Tom also. He was a wonderful friend.

  9. Cathy Carpenter says:

    Tommy is forever in my heart. He was a compassionate loving brother, who will be greatly missed.

  10. Johnson Funeral Home Staff says:

    Tom lived an amazing life and has a wonderful family. We are honored to serve your family. May each of his loved ones find comfort in this time of loss. Thank you for trusting Johnson Funeral Home.

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