James Russell Carpenter's Obituary
James Jim R. Carpenter
Jan 18, 1926 - Sept.22, 2011
Graveside and Military Honors will be held, 11:00 AM, Tuesday, October 4th at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon.
Reception and Remembrances, 6:00 PM, Friday, October 7th at the Warren Country Inn.
Jim, 85 of Warren, died peacefully in his home of over 50 years. Jim was born in Charleston West Virginia to Russell and Janet Carpenter.
Jim grew up in West Virginia, where he ran the mile in track at Stonewall Jackson High School. He left high school his senior year to join the Navy during World War II, and served proudly as a signalman on a destroyer until his discharge in 1947. After the war Jim worked as a logger and laborer for a short time and then went to work for Burlington Northern Railroad.
He married Dorothy O. Fail in February of 1954 in Forest Grove Oregon; Jim's Sister Carol was maid of honor. He lived the rest of his life in Warren, where he and Dorothy raised four children. After retiring from the railroad, Jim worked cutting fire wood from the Crown Zellerbach pole yard in Scappoose, and delivering it to people in the local area. As a young man Jim enjoyed hunting with his Father and younger brother Austin. And in his retirement Jim got much pleasure from spoiling his grandkids and growing things in his garden, once producing a pumpkin weighing over 700 lbs.
Jim is survived by his wife of 57 years, Dorothy. His sister, Carol, and Brother, Austin. His children; Daughter Connie Gardner, Son in law Brian Gardner, daughter Cathy Carpenter, daughter Casey Vanderkin, Son Dan Carpenter, daughter in law Lisa Carpenter and his grandchildren, Kelly, Kimberly, Grant, Amy, Brooke, and David.
Remembrances can be made in Jim's name to either the St. Helens Senior Center, 375 South 15th Street St. Helens, OR 97051-2200 - 503 397-3377 or Columbia County Fairgrounds, 230 Strand St. St. Helens, OR 97051.
On-line condolences can be made to the family at; www.columbiafh.com
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