Gary Everett Carpenter

Gary Everett Carpenter, beloved husband and father, died at home on November 26,

2022 at age 69.

Born November 15, 1953 in Amityville, NY to Elisabeth Russell Carpenter and

Everett Arthur Carpenter, Gary spent his youth growing up in Plainview NY with his older sister

and enjoyed spending his summers along the Long Island shore before leaving for upstate New

York and studying at Paul Smith’s College. After graduation, Gary came to Morgantown to

further his education at WVU and fell in love not only with the mountains but also with the

woman who would become his beloved partner and spouse for the next 39 years.

Gary was a bright and shining light in the community, and an easily recognizable face

around town. Whether you found him wandering the floors of JC Penny for the last 45 years,

spotted him at countless local events selling Zul’s Frozen Lemonade, or even got to chat with

him during his time as a drive-thru teller at BB&T Bank (now Truist), Gary would leave an

impression not soon forgotten. You might have even seen him baking pizzas at the West

Virginia State Fair outside of Lewisburg every summer since 1976- a job that he professed to

love most of all. Endlessly gregarious and forever jovial, Gary made friends wherever he went,

and those who knew him know that his presence will be missed.

By far, Gary’s biggest joy in life was spending time outdoors and sharing that time with

his family. He served as the committee chair for the local Boy Scout Troop 49 for over a decade

and greatly enjoyed camping, hiking and rafting all over the state. He was also immensely proud

to have been chosen to represent the troop in the BSA’s national honor society, the Order of

the Arrow. In his limited free time, Gary could often be found lounging on the deck catching the

afternoon sun or exploring the back country roads of his adopted mountain home.

Gary brought joy and humor wherever he went and will be remembered as a light that

touched countless lives for years.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Susan Heflin Carpenter; son Scott Russell Carpenter; sister Elisabeth Carpenter Abbott and brother-in-law Ray Abbott; brothers-in-law Edward Heflin and Thomas Heflin, nieces Elizabeth Cauvel and Erin Quinlan;

and nephews Dan Abbott and Justin Abbott.

A visitation will be held Friday, Dec. 2nd from 6PM-8PM at Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home located

at 10 S. High St. in Morgantown. A memorial service officiated by Reverends Neil Leftwich and Bart Thompson will be held Saturday in the same location at 12 PM, with an hour of visitation before, beginning at 11 AM.

In lieu of flowers, Gary requested that donations be made in his name to:

West Virginia Botanic Garden at wvbg.org

Arbor Day Foundation at shop.arborday.org/commemorative

Mountaineer Food Bank at www.mountaineerfoodbank.org