John A. Carpenter Sr.

Funeral Services for John A. Carpenter Sr. will be conducted from the First Baptist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Thursday, February 3, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Darren Stroh, officiating. Interment will be in the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege with military honors provided by the American Legion Post #66 in conjunction with the United States Army National Guard Military Honors Team.

John Andrew Carpenter Sr., 67 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Saturday, January 29, 2011 at his home in Holdrege. John was born December 2, 1943 at DunGlen, Ohio, the seventh of twelve children of Andrew Daniel and Nettie (Williams) Carpenter. He received his education at Steubenville, Ohio. John then served his country in the United States Army from 1961 until 1964. After his honorable discharge, John continued to serve his country in the Nebraska Army National Guard in the 1-195th Armor Battalion for twenty-five years from 1970 until 1995. He was honored with a certificate of appreciation from the National Guard that read MSG Carpenter's dedication to duty knows no bounds; he has continuously given of his free time to make sure that the training of his men is of the highest caliber. MSG Carpenter has served in the Armor Battalion with the maintenance sections and the mortar platoon, but foremost he has served his community of Holdrege. MSG Carpenter's loyalty and selflessness is an inspiration to his men and all that know him. His exceptional performance over the past 25 years shows great credit upon himself, his family, his units and the Nebraska Army National Guard.

On October 11, 1964, he was united in marriage to Josephine Willis and to this union seven children were born: John Jr., Chris, Richard, Jennifer, Jeremy, Joshua, and Jacob. The family made their home in Holdrege, where John's dedication continued in his life's work, as the Maintenance Supervisor for the Holdrege Public Schools until his retirement after thirty-six years of service. In May of 2002, he was presented a certificate for his Outstanding Contributions to the Music Program at Holdrege High School.

John was a member of the First Baptist Church in Holdrege, he was also a past member of the Holdrege Lions Club, where he served as past President from 1987 – 1988.


He leaves to mourn his passing his wife of forty-six years, Josephine of Holdrege; his daughter, Jennifer Hitt and her husband, Michael of Angier, North Carolina; six sons: John A. Carpenter Jr., Chris Carpenter and his special friend, Rafael Teodosio from the Philippines, Richard Carpenter all of Holdrege, Jeremy Carpenter and his wife, Barbara of Aurora, Colorado, Joshua Carpenter and Jacob Carpenter both of Holdrege;
five grandchildren: ReBecca Hitt and her fiancé, Joshua Parker and Jarrett Hitt, and Ashton, Brandon and Zackary Carpenter; one step-grandson, K.C. Hamil; two great-granddaughters: Jaila and Makaila Parker; two sisters; two brothers; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by parents; one daughter in infancy; three sisters; and four brothers.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 2, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in his memory and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.