Richard Gordon Carpenter

Richard Gordon Carpenter was born August 30, 1944 in Clovis, New Mexico at Canton Air Force Base. He attended school in New Orleans, Louisiana; Rapid City, South Dakota; and Denver, Colorado graduating from Cheyenne Central High School in Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1962. He joined the U.S. Air Force in October 1962 and was honorably discharged in October 1966. He married Sheryl Ann Love in Coldwater, Kansas on December 29, 1973. He attended drafting college in Wichita, Kansas and worked from April 1976 until April 2010 when he retired from Electro-Mech, Inc. in Wichita. Richard was a life member of the American Legion Post 136 in Mulvane where he was the post commander for two years, life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7253 in Derby, 40-8 Voiture 58 in Sedgwick County, Ks., and the National Rifle Association. He is preceded in death by his father, USAF CMSGT retired Charles Gordon Carpenter. Survivors include his wife Sheryl of the home; mother Lola Biday Carpenter of San Antonio, Texas; brothers Larry J. Carpenter and his wife Mary Ann of New Orleans, Louisiana, Michael J. Carpenter and his wife Brenda of San Antonio; sister Carolyn M. Lowe and husband Harry of San Antonio; sister-in-law Vera Parker of Horton, Kansas; brother-in-law David E. Love of Kansas City, Kansas; a host of nieces and nephews. Richard passed this life on May 11, 2013 at the age of 68 years, 9 months, 12 days of age. Viewing: 2-8 pm Thursday with the family greeting friends from 6-7pm at Smith Mortuary, 1415 N. Rock Rd., Derby. Funeral Mass: 10am Friday, May 17, 2013, St. Michael Catholic Church, Mulvane with burial in Mulvane Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to American Legion Post 136 building fund, The 40-8 Voiture58 building fund or Rivercross Hospice.