J. T. Carpenter

J.T. Carpenter, 99, of Waco, passed away June 4, 2012 at a local care facility. Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 7, at 10:00 a.m., at Western Heights Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 6, from 6-8 p.m., at Grace Gardens Funeral Home.

J.T Carpenter was born May 1, 1913 to Lee Samuel and Ione Carpenter in Coolidge, Texas. He graduated from Axtell High School in 1930 and attended Westminster Junior College in Tehuacana. J.T. belonged to the Crusaders Sunday School Class at Western Heights Baptist Church, where he and his family are charter members.

In 1933, he moved to Rosebud, Texas. On September 23 of that same year, he married Lucille Cone, who preceded him in death. To this marriage, there were 4 children born. In November, 1933, he moved to Wichita Falls, and then to Burkburnett, Tx where he worked for Bohner Corp. as a tool pusher. In 1943, he moved his family to Waco, where he worked for Central Motor Co. and Sterling Motor Co. In 1946, he opened his own business, Carpenter’s Auto Service, which he ran until 1982, when he retired. His first shop was at 18th and Colcord and in 1948 he moved to 1716 Washington. From 1958-1972, he was located at 927 Franklin, then his last shop was at 1007 Austin Ave until he closed the doors in 1982. His brothers worked for him for many years in the auto repair business. Even after his retirement, he still had many customers that continued to call on his services, which he always took care of with a smile.

From 1985 until 2010, he worked for many car dealerships, delivering cars all over Texas.

In 1995, he started working for Reynolds Distributing Co. delivering boats all over the U.S.

On August 31, 1948, he married Mary Frances Cooper in Waco. To this marriage, two children were born.

J.T. drove dirt track cars in and around Central Texas for many years. He started racing in 1951 at the Suicide Bowl race track that was located where Lake Waco is today. He raced his last race in Waco when he was 75 years old in the Old Timers Race at HOT Speedway, where he won first place. He raced in Waco, Crandall, Fort Worth, Greenville, Killeen, Navasota, many times competing against his son in law, Robert Pryor. He was affectionately known as “Pappy” around many race tracks. J.T. owned Waco Speedway from 1967-1969, but decided he would rather be behind the wheel. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame at HOT Speedway in 2010. Every year his birthday is celebrated at the Speedway, which he proudly enjoyed.

Nothing made J.T. more proud than to have his family together. Every holiday meal was always preceded by the family getting in a circle, holding hands, and J.T. welcoming everyone, greeting newcomers into the family, and telling everyone how much they mean to the family. His famous quote that he shared every time was “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is the day that the Lord has made. “ Family and friends were two very important part of his life.


J.T. was preceded in death by his first wife, Lucille Cone Carpenter; son James Carpenter; daughter Teresa Carpenter Crow; and brothers and sisters in law, Cecil and Dorothy Carpenter and Leroy and Virginia Carpenter, Kenneth and Beatrice Carpenter.

Survivors include his wife, Mary; daughters and sons in law, Anita and Robert Pryor of Waco, Loretta and Richard Woehrle of Harker Heights, and Patti and Barry Johnson of Waco; son, Robert Lee and wife Mary Lou of Gatesville; 14 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; 8 great-great grandchildren; and he is also survived by a host of wonderful nephews and nieces.

Pallbears will be Jerry Carpenter, Tim Carpenter, Devin Barton, Charlie Carmony, Micheal Pryor, Devan Kinnear, David Maynard, Logan Burns, J. Michael Johnson, and Joey Powers.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Charlie Furrer, Morris Wood, George Green, Keith Green, Eugene Adamcek, Tommy Armstrong, Joe Armstrong, buddies at Shipley’s, and Members of the Crusaders Sunday School Class.

The family wishes to thank the Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center/Scott & White Health Care Staff, especially the inpatient hospice team for their care and support.

Funeral Service

10AM ,Thursday, June 7, 2012
Western Heights Baptist Church
6301 Bosque Blvd. Waco, TX 76710

Visitation

6 - 8PM ,Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel
8220 Woodway Drive Waco, TX 76712