Has a death occurred?
(503) 990-6936
24/7
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.
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
We've heard stories of Tommie's incredible work ethic, sense of humor, generosity, compassion, and unwavering devotion to family and friends for over 30 years through his 'Alaska family', and were blessed to enjoy time with Tommie and Ginger in recent years. Our hearts go out to Ginger and all of the family. May God bless and comfort you with memories of Tommie during this difficult time.
I would like to express my condolences to the Carpenter Family at this time during their bereavement. . I didn't know Tom personally but it's obvious he was very much loved and respected by all. Ginger tenderly described Tom as a man who always woke up happy. What a beautiful, significant sentiment for a loving wife to express about her husband.
My heart ❤️ is with the Carpenter/Donofrio family today. Tom was such a great dad, papa, uncle, husband....much love to all.
Uncle Tom is a great man and will be sorely missed by us all.
Uncle Tom had the gift of generosity and it came natural to him. Hard working man that made things happen and a amazing example that if you worked hard you could achieve what you wanted. Failure was not a option you just kept going. He admired hard work and if you needed help he always lent you a hand if you asked. I am forever greatful for his assistance in my life. Uncle Tom was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Always seems God takes the best at a age to young. I remember as a small boy early 70's going for a ride in his Monte Carlo blue with a white top. He had a big smile on his face and I thought that was such a neat car. He loved kids and was always a happy guy.
My heart breaks for the loss of Uncle Tom and it just doesn't seem possible that he is gone. Life is precious and so very short.
This has come as a shock to all of us, family, and friends alike. I pray for my Aunt Ginger, and cousins that they find comfort in the Lord in this sad time. My uncle lived his life the way he wanted to. I can say he was the hardest working man I have ever known, and one that never new the word quit. He was example to who ever knew him. He did what ever it took to provide for his family. He left behind a true legacy, one for all of us to respect, and learn from. The Lord has welcomed you home Uncle Tom!. We all can rejoice in that!!!. Love you forever, and always!!!.