Jerry Carpenter

Jerald Kay Carpenter passed away Monday morning, November 13, 2017 at the age of 85. He was born in Globe, Arizona on January 9, 1932 to Raymond Knight Carpenter and Helen Orrilla Merrill Carpenter. Jerry was the first boy of six children born to Ray and Rilla. The Carpenter family moved several times during Jerry's childhood, living in Globe, Duncan, and Ashurst, but finally settling on a cotton farm in Central, Arizona. Jerry has three sisters still living as of 2017, Raeleen Porter of Mesa; Lynette Martin of Nampa, Idaho; and Trelva Palmer of Thatcher. A sister, Maxine, passed away in her early teens, and a brother, Verdell, also while in his teenage years. Jerry attended Thatcher High School and played on the football team under Coach Eldon Randall who he admired and respected throughout his life. After high school, Jerry served in Arizona National Guard at Fort Huachuca during the Korean War. Jerry was in high school when he met a beautiful young lady from Safford two years his junior named Jeannine Nuttall. They were married and sealed together in April 1953 at the Mesa Arizona Temple. Jerry and Jeannine were the proud and loving parents of five children, Jeff, Joe, Jan, Jason and Julie. Jeannine and Jerry were great dancers and enjoyed each other's company for over 62 years, until Jeannine passed away in 2015. Jerry is survived by all five of his children, eleven grandchildren, six great-grandsons, and one great-granddaughter, all of whom felt and continue to feel his loving concern for their well-being. Jerry was a skilled butcher, employed by his father-in-law at Safford Packing Company. He ran his own business as a local distributor of Borden's Milk in the 1960s. He worked at Peterson's Market in Pima during the 70s and 80s, then at Valley Packing and finished his working career at Thriftee Supermarket in Safford, retiring in 1996. Jerry loved outdoor activities, especially hunting and motorcycle riding. He was a very good hunter, rarely coming home from his deer or quail hunts empty handed. Jerry was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all his life, generously and cheerfully helping out doing whatever was asked of him. Papa Jerry, as he was known to his grandchildren, was a wonderful example of a kind, caring husband, father and grandfather, never known to utter a cruel or rude remark, or use coarse language of any kind, he was always honorable and truthful, and a fine example to his descendants. He is sorely missed. Viewing will be on Friday, November 17, 2017, from 5-7 p.m., at McDougal's Caldwell Funeral Chapel. Saturday, November 18, 2017, one hour prior to services. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 18, 2017, at the Safford LDS Stake Center. Interment will be in the Thatcher Cemetery following services.