Thomas Edward "Tom" Carpenter

September 13, 1941 - January 13, 2021

Thomas E. “Tom” Carpenter LECANTO, FL – Major Thomas E. “Tom” Carpenter, USAF (ret), 79, of Lecanto, FL entered into rest January 13, 2021. He was born in Ravenna, OH on September 13, 1941. His parents were the late Edward and Charlotte Carpenter. He retired after twenty-one years of service with the Air Force and a second time after completing more than fifteen years civilian employment at the Army’s Battle Command Battle Laboratory at Fort Gordon, GA where he was a senior computer scientist. He received a B.S. from the University of Oklahoma and an M.S. from Purdue University. He lived many places including San Antonio, TX; the Philippines; Norman, OK; West Lafayette, IN; Colorado Springs, CO; Marin County, CA; Montgomery, AL; Augusta, GA; Gainesville, FL, Summerfield, FL, and Lecanto, FL. He was an avid fan of Oklahoma University football, basketball, and women’s basketball. He enjoyed square dancing, reading, and spending time with his family and friends. He was a member of the Unity of Citrus County church and often said he had a close and personal relationship with God. He authored the book “Angel Talks: Unraveling the Mysteries of God” and traveled the southeast to other churches giving the Sunday morning talk and facilitating spiritual workshops. He was married four times to: Gayle McDonald Stephenson, St. Augustine, FL, with whom he had three children; the late Nancilu Dennis McClurkin, Tallassee, AL, with whom he had one son; Alice Glenn, Montgomery, AL; and June Porter Byers, North Augusta, SC. He is survived by his son, Donald and wife Lisa, Jacksonville, FL; daughter, Gerri Ann Stewart, St. Augustine, FL; daughter, Leslie Jean Carpenter and husband Marc Trimboli, St. Augustine, FL; son, Brad Carpenter and wife, Lesha, Asheville, NC; granddaughters Lauren Stewart, Elkton, FL; Haleigh Owens, St. Augustine, FL; Kyndal Stewart, Elkton, FL; Jessica Stewart, St. Augustine, FL; Noelle Owens, St. Augustine, FL, Grace Carpenter, Jacksonville, FL and Anne Carpenter, Asheville, NC; great grandson Devin Stewart, Elkton, FL; and sisters Judy Perrine, Houston, TX, and LuAnn Sage, Akron, OH. A memorial service will be held … “We must not look afar to see the Christ, for He is ever near at hand. He is always within us.”