Rufus Lee Carpenter

Rufus Lee Carpenter August 24, 1920 October 14, 2008 Rufus Lee Carpenter, Jr., of Waco, Texas, passed away of Tuesday, October 14, 2008, in Lewes, Delaware. Funeral services will be 11:00 .am., Thursday, October 23, at Chalk Bluff Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Moore Cemetery. A viewing will be held 6:00-8:00 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 22, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey. Born in McLennan County, Texas, on August 24, 1920, Mr. Carpenter was the son of Rufus Lee Carpenter, Sr. and Willie Thomas Yowell Carpenter. After graduating from Waco High School, he attended Texas A&M University, graduating in 1943 from Officer Candidate School with a degree in Agriculture Management. He married Helen Mitchell of Waco in 1944. Mr. Carpenter was an officer in the European Theatre of World War II, including the Battle of the Bulge, receiving among other honors the Bronze Star. After his discharge, he began working for the Veterans Administration, eventually transferring to Washington, DC, where he was the Director of Records Management. Mr. Carpenter also continued his military career, attaining the rank of Colonel in the Army Reserve. Retiring in 1977, the Carpenters returned to Waco. A lifelong member of the Chalk Bluff Baptist Church, Mr. Carpenter served as deacon and treasurer of the church for many years. He loved gardening and having his grandchildren visit during summers. Mr. Carpenter also was an avid fan of the Aggie football team throughout his life. Mr. Carpenter is survived by his wife of 64 years, Helen Carpenter; sons, John Lee Carpenter of San Francisco, Calif.; and James Rufus Carpenter and his wife, Patricia, of Lewes, DE; six grandchildren, Andrew Carpenter and his wife, Nerina, of Belmont, CA; Lauren Carpenter of San Rafael, CA; and James, Joseph, Laura, and Elizabeth Carpenter of Lewes, DE; two great-grandchildren, Callum and Aidan of Belmont, CA; two sisters, Billie Jo Brooks and her husband, Thomas, of Houston, TX, and Barbara Maceiras of Austin, TX; along with nephews and nieces.