Roy Eugene Carpenter, III, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, friend, teacher and preacher, of Jasper, completed his journey through this life on Monday, October 10, 2022, at the age of 77 years, two months and 27 days.
He was born July 13, 1945, in Urbana, Illinois, the second child of Roy Eugene, Jr. and Julia Katherine Carpenter in a family of four children. He was appreciated by all as a man of faith, being kind and gentle. He graduated from Clayton High School in 1963 and entered Purdue University working towards an engineering degree. In January of 1966, he transferred to Indiana State University working towards a Bachelor’s Degree and teacher’s license in Mathematics and Physical Education.
On August 27, 1966, he married Marcia Harrison and together they graduated from ISU in May of 1967. He began his teaching career in the fall of 1967 at Granville Wells High School, now called Western Boone. During that year their first child was born, a daughter they named Valerie Lynn. In 1970, Roy was granted a Teaching Assistantship at Indiana State University and was awarded a Master’s Degree in Mathematics and Physical Education in May of 1971. He took a teaching position at Washington Twp. School in Valparaiso. During that year, his second child, a son named Roy Eugene IV, (called Chip) was born. In 1975, Roy and Marcia purchased a farm in Owen County, and he taught at Owen Valley High School in the Mathematics Department and coached. Roy’s devotion to teaching and children was a driving force in his life. He was an enthusiastic and organized teacher and coach. Several of his former students kept in touch with him over the years and to this day tell of his influence upon them and how much they loved and admired him.
In January of 1981, Roy felt the call of God to enter the ministry and in June of that year was appointed to the Beech United Methodist Church just outside Coal City. He and Marcia matriculated at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, graduating in 1986. He then accepted a teaching and coaching position at McCurdy Mission School in Espanola, New Mexico. The Carpenter family moved back to Indiana the next year and Roy accepted an appointment to Harrodsburg United Methodist Church.
Roy’s faith, love, courage and optimism inspired his children, his students and his grandchildren. He pastored in the Terre Haute area for 12 years, where he was instrumental in merging four small United Methodist churches and constructing a new worship center. He came to the Holland/Zoar United Methodist Churches in 2005.
In 2010, Roy retired from full-time ministry and was appointed to the Ames Chapel UMC in Paoli. He subsequently was appointed to the Bloomfield Wesley UMC and then the Alfordsville UMC. In his early days of retirement, he substitute taught at Southridge and Jasper. Later on, he helped the Hispanic students and tutored math students at Jasper High School.
Roy enjoyed his family, gardening, fishing, reading, singing, working puzzles, especially Sudoku, Bible study and church life. His favorite book of the Bible was the Epistle of James. His favorite hymn was “It is Well with My Soul.” His favorite foods were fried chicken and mashed potatoes with white cream gravy. And the typical Thanksgiving meal, especially the cranberry salad. He was a member of the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church and the Holland Kiwanis. Loved ones who traveled on before Roy include his parents, his brothers-in-law, Ernie Noe and David Newlin; and a nephew, Joseph Sommerville.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years and the love of his life, Marcia Carpenter of Jasper; his children, Valerie (Larry) Stice of Springfield, Virginia and Chip (Paula) Carpenter of Santa Claus; his grandchildren, Matthew, Amanda, Amelia, and Jeremy Stice and Harrison and Emma Carpenter; two sisters, Bonnie Noe and Barbara Newlin; one brother, Jim (Elizabeth) Carpenter; and by nieces and nephews.
Friends of Roy Eugene Carpenter, III may call for visitation at the Holland United Methodist Church from 2-8 p.m., on Friday, October 14 and also one hour prior to the 2 p.m. service on Saturday, October 15, 2022, with Pastor Mitch Gieselman officiating the service.
Nass & Son Funeral Home in Huntingburg was entrusted with handling the arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children Hospital or the American Heart Association. Condolences may be shared online at: www.nassandson.com.
