Garland Carpenter

Garland Winston Carpenter, 73, of Bolar, passed away Wednesday, July 4, 2012 at his home after a brief illness.

He was born Feb. 17, 1939, a son of the late Herman M. and Mary Bussard Carpenter.

He was a member of Valley Bethel Church of the Brethren. He was a mechanic, who retired from The Homestead after 42 years of service. He loved playing horseshoes, hunting, fishing, square dancing and working on small equipment. He was a devoted family man who will be remembered for his extraordinary height and his gentle and kind nature.

Mr. Carpenter was preceded in death by an infant sibling; three brothers, Stanley Harper, Ray Herman and Eldon Walker Carpenter; and his sister, Norma Irene Carpenter.

He is survived by his wife, Berna Carpenter, whom he married Dec. 31, 1990; his children, Audrey Brown and husband John of Warm Springs, Amy Ruckman and husband Blane of Bolar, Ronnie Carpenter of Warm Springs, Nora Darragh and husband, Hap, of Pennsylvania, James Fish and wife Anna of New Hampshire, Lucas Fish and wife Lori of Florida, John Fish and wife Angela of Florida, Joseph Fish of Bolar, Levi Fish of Georgia, Sara Penn of Bolar, and Samuel Fish and wife Tabatha of Buena Vista; his former wife, Ida Hodge and her husband Dave of Hot Springs; and a sisterin law, Emma Carpenter of Staunton. He is also survived by a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A funeral service was conducted 11 a.m. Saturday, July 7 at Valley Bethel Church of the Brethren with the Rev. Danny Arbogast, the Rev. Billy Robertson and Pastor Brooks Brown officiating.

Burial followed in Big Valley Cemetery.

Active pallbearers were Brooks and Brandon Brown, Jamie, Blane and Duane Ruckman, Ronnie, Ronnie Jr., and Brandon Liptrap. Honorary pallbearers were friends attending the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Big Valley Cemetery, c/o Vesta Ruckman, 7247 Big Valley Road, Bolar, Va. 24484 or the American Cancer Society, c/o Norma Reynolds, 3052 Mill Gap Road, Monterey, Va. 24465.