Pappasito's lost a loyal customer on Monday, Dec. 19, 2016 in Houston, TX. Donald Wilson Carpenter, 82, passed away yesterday morning under the gaze of his beloved wife, Jo Ann (Felps) Carpenter, and in the company of his loving family. Don was born on Oct. 26, 1934 in Fort Worth, TX to Harold Wilson Carpenter and Iva May Carpenter (Wood).
Don was a proud, hard-working man. A US Army veteran and career serviceman at Texas Instruments. He was always a hands-on guy, capable of fixing anything. The saying is "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Our version ends with, "if it is, ask Don."

Outside of his working life he was a man of diverse passions and interests. He liked food, but loved dessert. To him, a meal wasn't complete without a sweet, and ice cream being his preferred option. Iced tea was his drink of choice, other than an ice-cold Texas beer with "the Sidewalk Gang," of course. He spent years raising emus in Houston, weeks on the Salt Grass Trail Ride, days on the plane to Africa, and countless hours tracking family genealogy on the internet. Donning his trademark suspenders and bodacious beard, he could be found pounding away at his truck or trailer, tending to his horses at the farm, or on the water somewhere, fishing or sailing. He was also an avid dog lover. He tasked them all with a duty, from spotting doves to protecting his banana trees from those pesky squirrels. He is survived by his spoiled rescue dog, Leo.
During the holiday season especially, his snow white beard will be missed, but we will forever cherish the moments we shared with him.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, younger brother, Louis, and son, Travis.

Don is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Jo Ann Carpenter (Felps); daughter, Donna Carpenter and her husband Okey Nwanyanwu; son, Robert Carpenter; sister, Evelyn Bender; mother in law, Anna Lou Felps; and grandchildren, Ben Carpenter-Nwanyanwu and Sarah Carpenter-Nwanyanwu. He is also survived by many other loving relatives and friends.

Visitation will be 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Friday, December 23, 2016 at Crofts – Crow Funeral Home in Johnson City with funeral services commencing at 2:00 PM. Interment will follow in Miller Creek Cemetery.

Memorial donations suggested in lieu of flowers to the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Salt Grass Trail Ride Association's Scholarship Fund.