Long-time Norman resident Earl Chester Carpenter, Jr., fondly known as “Carpy,” Commander US Navy (RET) died Friday, May 19, 2017. He died peacefully surrounded by the warmth of his children. Earl was born May 7, 1925 in Keene, NH to Earl Chester Carpenter, Sr. and Melda Howard Carpenter. He graduated from Tufts University in Somerville, MA in 1949. He married Janice Roby Campbell on August 13, 1949 at St. Mary’s Church in Newington, CT. Earl was an accomplished Naval Aviator, serving his country for almost 25 years flying long-range surveillance missions. He is a veteran of WWII as well as the Korean and Vietnam wars. After retiring from the Navy, Earl and Janice chose to settle in Norman. Earl had additional careers as Professor of Economics and Assistant Dean of University College at the University of Oklahoma, and as an Investment Adviser at Waddell & Reed. He was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Norman. Earl was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He lived life to the fullest with a strong commitment to his family and his work. He traveled extensively with his wife Janice and was interested in opera, world economics, history, religion and OU sports. Earl is pre-deceased by his wife of over 60 years, Janice Campbell Carpenter, who he loved dearly. He is survived by son John Howard Carpenter and wife Cassandra Petre Carpenter of Washington, DC; son Paul Campbell Carpenter and wife Rebecca Sue Carpenter of Norman; daughter Jeanne Ann Fell and partner Johnny Seay of Norman; and daughter Elizabeth Dakin Burns and husband James Edward Burns of Wayland, MA. Grandchildren include Latham Edward Fell and wife Kindle Clark Fell, great-granddaughter Aiana and great-grandson Amias of Seattle WA; Peter Carpenter Fell and wife Katherine Miller Fell, and great-granddaughters Eliana, Annalise and Keziah of Dothan, AL; Andrew Thomas Fell and wife Linsie Eriksen Fell and great-grandson Jensen of Aurora, CO; Kara-Anne Cassett Pantalena and Anthony Jack Pantalena of Alexandria, VA; Kathleen Campbell Burns of Wayland, MA; Angela Sue Bullington and husband Jay Bullington, and great-grandchildren Brandon and Brittany of Spring, TX; Robert Paul Grider and wife Laura Anderson Grider of Yukon, and great-grandson Benjamin; and Elizabeth Deal of Midwest City; and great-grandchildren Grant and Grace Schallhorn of Oklahoma City.

Memorial contributions can be made to: Norman Veterans Center, PO Box 1668, Norman, OK 73070. Please note on check that the donation is in memory of Earl Carpenter. Memorial services will be held 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 26, 2017, at St. John's Episcopal Church, 235 West Duffy, Norman, OK. Arrangements for Earl and his family have been placed in the care of Havenbrook Funeral Home of Norman. 

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