James R. “Jim” Carpenter, 81, of Lebanon, passed away Saturday, September 4, 2021, at the Hershey Medical Center.
Born in Reading, PA on May 24, 1940, James was a son of the late Franklin and Elizabeth (Reed) Carpenter.
James is survived by his only child, Beth Ann; four grandchildren, Phillip (Julia), Diana (Willie) Alisher, and Akbar; five great grandchildren, J’cian, Juliana, J’liana, Aidan, Willie, and his best friend Keith.
James worked as a special education teacher for 29 years, and worked in drug and alcohol rehabilitation for 18+ years. He was a 32nd degree mason. Jim will always be remembered by those who loved him for his sense of humor, exquisite taste in food, love for his family, and joy of traveling. He instilled in us a sense of adventure and modeled for us how to care for and value all people. A huge part of Jim’s testimony was that he completely turned his life around for the better after a lot of mistakes. In his older years, Jim was his family’s rock. He was a great listener. He never told people how to feel and we never felt judged by him. He seemed to always know what to say when we needed advice. Grandpa was a role model on how to be a good man, how to have patience, how to forgive and be forgiven, and, when you make mistakes, he taught us that it is never too late to change. In the end, he cared for and loved each of us extremely well. No one ever felt forgotten. He is deeply loved and dearly missed.
All are welcome to attend in casual attire to a graveside service with full military honors at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 16th at Cornwall Cemetery. Thompson Funeral Home, Inc. is entrusted with the arrangements. Please share your memories with the family at our online guest book at thompsonfuneralhomelebanon.com
