George Knowlton Carpenter

George Knowlton Carpenter passed away peacefully on May 14, 2024 in Lubbock, TX after a valiant battle with cancer. He was 76 years old. He will be missed in his cherished roles as husband, father, Gramp, brother, son, uncle, and friend. George was born May 20, 1947 in Denver, CO to Everett & Janet Carpenter, and spent most of his formative years in Phoenix, AZ. George graduated from Central High School in Phoenix in 1965. He served in the U.S. Navy as a medic in Vietnam. Following his military service he earned a degree in Forestry from Northern Arizona University and became a forest ranger and firefighter with the U.S. Forest Service, serving in Florida and New Mexico. George loved working in this capacity, but after more than 10 years made the decision to become a carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, where he worked for over 30 years. Given his outgoing nature, love of driving and active lifestyle, he was well-suited to work with the USPS. He joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1979 and served faithfully in many capacities throughout the years. His favorite way to worship and serve was through his work in the LDS Temple in Lubbock. He treasured the many friendships he built through his service and associations in the church. In 1987, he married Judy Dow Gordon and moved to Lubbock, TX. He worked hard to develop relationships with Judy's three children and to help his own two sons integrate into the blended family. They enjoyed road trips across the West and Midwest together, family game nights at home, and spending hours in the pool whenever one was available. In his retirement years, a favorite travel routine was to visit children and grandchildren who lived out of state for a week or two at a time. When he wasn't visiting, he loved keeping in touch via FaceTime, often through simple but meaningful traditions like story time with Grandmama and Gramp. A skilled gardener, George took great pride and satisfaction in a nicely manicured landscape. Between his work as a forest ranger & postal carrier and his passion for yardwork, he was rarely inside for long periods. He enjoyed studying the weather and was a connoisseur of classic cinema, preferring black-and-white era productions. He was a voracious reader, appreciating everything from mystery novels to biographies, and he never missed an opportunity to share his favorite book, The Book of Mormon, with anyone who would listen or accept one. He particularly relished discussing ideas on business, current events, and politics as well as exchanging articles & jokes with Clay, who was not only his idolized older brother but a friend and advisor as well. He is preceded in death by his parents, Everett Knowlton Carpenter & Janet Duffey Carpenter. He is survived by his wife, Judy Dow Gordon Carpenter; children Matthew Carpenter (Jessica), Laurisa Murrow (Jeff), Brandon Baker (Amy), James Carpenter (Lily), and Roxanne Tubbs (Bryan); brother Clayton Carpenter (Pris); and 15 grandchildren. Visitation for family and friends will be at Sanders Funeral Home (1420 Main Street, Lubbock TX) on Thursday, May 23 from 6:30 to 8:00pm. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 24 at 10:00am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (7016 Frankford Ave, Lubbock TX). George will be laid to rest at the City of Lubbock Cemetery.

George Knowlton Carpenter

May 20, 1947 - May 14, 2024