Rufus Lee Carpenter's Obituary
Rufus Lee Carpenter, Jr, of Waco, Texas, passed away of Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008 in Lewes, DE. Born in McLennan County, Texas, on August 24, 1920, Mr. Carpenter was the son of Rufus Lee Carpenter Sr. and Willie Thomas Yowell Carpenter. After graduating from Waco High School, he attended Texas A&M University, graduating in 1943 from Officer Candidate School with a degree in Agriculture Management. He married Helen Mitchell of Waco in 1944.
Mr. Carpenter was an officer in the European theatre of World War II, including the Battle of the Bulge, receiving among other honors the Bronze Star. After his discharge, he began working for the Veterans Administration, eventually transferring to Washington, DC, where he was the Director of Records Management. Mr. Carpenter also continued his military career, attaining the rank of Colonel in the Army Reserve.
Retiring in 1977, the Carpenters returned to Waco. A lifelong member of the Chalk Bluff Baptist Church, Mr, Carpenter served as deacon and treasurer of the church for many years. He loved gardening and having his grandchildren visit during summers. Mr. Carpenter also was an avid fan of the Aggie football team throughout his life.
Mr. Carpenter is survived by his wife of 64 years, Helen Carpenter; son John Lee Carpenter of San Francisco, son James Rufus Carpenter and his wife Patricia of Lewes, DE; six grandchildren, Andrew Carpenter and his wife Nerina of Belmont, CA, Lauren Carpenter of San Rafael, CA, and James, Joseph, Laura, and Elizabeth Carpenter of Lewes, DE; two great-grandchildren, Callum and Aidan of Belmont, CA; two sisters, Billie Jo Brooks and her husband Thomas, of Houston, TX, and Barbara Maceiras of Austin, TX, along with nephews and nieces.
A viewing will be held on Wednesday, October 22, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Wilkerson-Hatch Funeral Home, 1124 Washington Ave., Waco, TX. Funeral Services will be Thursday, October 23, 11;00 AM at Chalk Bluff Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Moore Cemetery.
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