Gene Shuford Carpenter

Born Sept. 28, 1926, in Lincoln County, he was the son of the late Hugh Harris Carpenter and Essie Lee Shuford Carpenter. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Betty Jewel Proctor Carpenter, and a baby daughter, Andrea Jeanne Carpenter.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Virginia. After the Navy, he attended the Cincinnati College of Embalming and went to work for Warlick Funeral Home in Lincolnton. In 1953, he joined Hickory Funeral Home as a licensed embalmer and funeral director. The funeral home was sold in 1970, and he later became manager, a position he held until his retirement in 1991. He served as a consultant for a number of years following his retirement.

Active in the community, he was a member of the Exchange Club of Hickory for 44 years, having served as president twice and through the chairs to vice president of the N.C. Exchange Clubs. He had perfect attendance. He also was a member of the American Legion Post 48 and played for its softball team.

A person of strong faith, he was most recently a member of Unity Lutheran Church of Hickory, where he sang in the choir, was a member of the senior Sunday school class and was a past president of the Lutheran Men in Mission. For many years, he was a member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church of Hickory.

He loved music, especially Sousa marches and trumpet great Al Hirt. He played trumpet in the Lincolnton High School Band under the tutelage of Ray S. Lowder and was so talented he was invited to join the Navy Band. He taught himself how to play the piano and organ and played for numerous funerals over the years.

A former licensed private pilot, he enjoyed flying and golf and was a former member of Catawba Country Club.

He is survived by two daughters, Anna Bettina “Tina” Carpenter of Hickory and Marla Kaye Carpenter of Winston-Salem; a sister-in-law, Barbara “Bobbie” Proctor Bennett of Huntersville; four nieces, Jane Proctor Lowe and husband, Wayne, of Terrell, Donna Patrice Bennett of New York City, Teri Lyn Bennett of Huntersville, and Lori Bennett Renshaw and husband, Ray, of Huntersville; five great-nieces and nephews: Ashley Lowe Ager and husband, Steve, of Durango, Colo., Allison Lowe-Fotos and husband, Adam, of Chicago, Ryan Spencer Renshaw, Nicole Marie Renshaw and Joshua Emil Renshaw of Huntersville; and a great-great niece and nephew: Rachel Hartwell Ager and Wyatt Phoenix Ager of Durango, Colo.

He loved animals, especially his cat, Gracie Lou.

The family would like to thank his caregiver, Cathy Killian, and his Hospice team for their loving care.

A service of remembrance and celebration will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 28, at Unity Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Dr. Robert E. Allen officiating. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery in Hickory.

The family will receive friends from 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, at Hickory Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Unity Lutheran Church, 3025 Falling Creek Road, NE, Hickory, NC 28601.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Hickory Funeral Home.