John Alden Carpenter, Sr.

John Alden Carpenter Sr., 74, entered into his heavenly rest peacefully on Friday, September 3, 2021 while among family at Doey's House (HospiceCare) in Hagerstown, Md.

John was born on April 18, 1947 at the former Washington County Hospital to the late Frank M. and Ruth N. (Gruber) Carpenter. In addition to his parents, John was proceeded in death by his brothers, Conrad, Philip "Butch", Jim, Verdon "Joe" and Frank.

As a devoted father, John is survived by six children: Daughter Tina M.Carrazco and husband Ignacio, Son John A. Carpenter, Jr. (Johnny) and wife Heather, Daughter Crystal C. Kwon and husband Peter, Son Tim P. Carpenter, Daughters Jessica R. Carpenter and Cayla E. Carpenter and grandfather to twelve grandchildren: Porter (Al), Corbin, Jackson, Corrine, Faith, John III (Jack),Chase, Luke, Ethan, Elise, Eloise, and Hogan. He is survived by his former spouse, Carmen Carpenter.

John is also survived by his devoted siblings; sisters, Flora (Peg), Sally, Elizabeth (Sugar), Nancy and Amy (Cookie) and brothers, Bill and Robert (Bob) and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

John attended Clear Spring High School before enlisting in the Army at age 17 as a mechanic, then transferring to the Air Force, serving honorably as a camera technician/repairman.

After his military service, John worked for over thirty years at NIR Systems/Perstorp Analytical, Inc. in Silver Spring, Md in the field of spectrophotometry. His career took him around the country and the world. Following that, he took his technical expertise and contacts to work with his brother Frank at Instrument Distributors International.

Among other things, John had a love for Bluegrass and Country music, which sometimes made car rides unbearable for his kids. He also had a daring set of taste buds, enjoying unique delicacies such as hog maw and pickled pig's feet. Thankfully, this attribute was not passed down to the next generation.

John dedicated a great deal of time and volunteer service to his Christian faith as a lifetime member of Maranatha Brethren Church in Hagerstown, including serving as head of the bus ministry for a time as both a driver and mechanic. He was a member of the VFW Post 2521, Santa Maria, CA, close to where he served while in the military at Vandenberg AFB. In his younger years, he stayed active as an avid bowler, church-league softball player and golfer. John will be greatly missed by his family, friends and church members.

The family will receive friends at Rest Haven Funeral Home with a viewing on Friday, September 10, from 6-8pm. A service will be held Saturday, September 11at 10am at Rest Haven followed by interment at Cedar Lawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in John's name may be made to Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Disease Research www.michaeljfox.org or the Frank M. and Ruth N. Carpenter Family Scholarship Fund, 37 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown Md 21740.

Online condolences can be made at www.rsthvn.com.