Obituary of James "Jim" Clifford Carpenter Jr.

James (Jim) Clifford Carpenter, 84, of Salinas and Castroville, passed away July 14.

Jim was born on March 15, 1934 to James Clifford and Berdis Carpenter in Phoenix AZ.  He moved with the family to the Bay area during World War II, where his parents built Liberty ships.  When the war ended, the family moved to Salinas, where Jim and his sisters, Juanita and Sylvia, attended Fremont and Alisal schools.  After graduating from Salinas High School in 1952, Jim went on to Pasadena Nazarene College, where he graduated in 1956, having majored in Theology.

In 1958, Jim began a long career with Corrections. He first worked for the Monterey County Probation Department at Juvenile Hall, and then transferred to the Adult Division.  Jim then went to work at Soledad Prison as a counselor; he eventually retired as a Program Director, after 25 years of service, in 1992.

Jim lived an active life of service.  He was a coach for the Ferrasci Little League, and for Salinas Valley Pony League Baseball for many years.  He (with his wife Suzanne) was a longtime member of the Lone Cypress Winnitascans RV Club, which he served as president and webmaster for several years.  He was a longtime member of the Masonic Temple of Salinas, Lodge #204, where he was a Past Master.  He was also a Past Worthy Patron in the Order of the Eastern Star, Reveille Chapter number 47.  For many years, Jim was a devoted member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, which he served in a great many capacities, including president of the council for an extended term.

His love of travel took him to many places: around the lower 48 states, Alaska and Canada with his wife Suzanne in their RV; to Egypt; and to many countries in Europe.  He especially loved river cruises in Germany.  He also served on several aid missions to Jamaica with other members of his church.

Jim was an avid history buff, especially of the Civil War and World War II eras.  He enjoyed classical music, and was a great fan of the Monterey Symphony concerts.  He was a skillful modeler of airplanes, trains, cars and ships.

Jim is survived by his sister, Sylvia Glenn; his children: Rebecca Carpenter, Martin Carpenter, Karen Stout, Brenda Carpenter FitzJohn, and Kathleen Alley; eleven grandchildren: Andrew Carpenter, Kelsey Carpenter, TJ Moran, Caitlin Moran, Theresa Cabral, Kaitlin Sak, Thomas FitzJohn, Ashley FitzJohn, Samuel FitzJohn, Robert Alley, and Cassandra Skrobot; five great-grandchildren: Elijah, Tommy, Mia, Luca, and another on the way; a number of beloved nieces and nephews, who knew him as their "Uncle Bud"; his former wife, Barbara Stephens Crouch; and many loving and devoted friends.

Jim is preceded in death by his wife Suzanne, his mother and father, and his sister Juanita.

Visitation will be at Healey Mortuary, 405 N. Sanborn Rd., Salinas, CA on Wednesday, July 18 from 1:00pm to 9:00pm, followed by a private gravesite service.  A memorial in celebration of Jim’s life will be held at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Jim's honor to the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 580 Larkin St, Salinas, CA 93907.