Commander Jack Royal Carpenter, loyal and loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, proud patriot, master gardener, tennis teaching pro, talented singer/conductor, soup wizard, and fearless tackler of construction projects, passed away at his Oak Harbor home on February 17, 2023 at the spectacular age of 99. Missing him will never end.
Jack Royal Carpenter was born July 13, 1923 in Caruthers, CA to loving parents, James Royal Carpenter, a Methodist minister, and Lena Elizabeth (Stuart), a graduate in music from Ohio Wesleyan University. Jack was the fifth and youngest child and grew up in Gresham OR where he attended high school. There he met and wooed the beauty that became his eventual bride, Betty Lucille (Miller).
In 1942, at the age of nineteen, Jack answered the call of his country, and joined the U.S. Navy. Thus began a career in Naval aviation that spanned 30 years of distinction, challenges, dynamic leadership, awards, and professional accolades and that saw Jack rise from a seaman recruit to a Navy commander. His experience in various roles spanned a wide range of aircraft, including the smallest ship-based aircraft of World War II, the OS2U Kingfisher Seaplane, the largest carrier-based aircraft ever, the Douglas A3D Strike Bomber, and the EA6-B, the Navy’s first Strike and Radar Jamming aircraft, to name a few. Notable ship assignments included the Navy Heavy Cruiser USS Quincy (CA-71) and the small desk Aircraft Carrier, USS Shangri-La (CV 38).
Following his retirement from the Navy in 1972, Jack pursued a life-long interest in tennis by opening and operating Jack’s Racket in downtown Oak Harbor and serving as a teaching pro. He also enjoyed various musical pursuits, including singing in and directing both the Oak Harbor Methodist Church Choir and the AN-O-CHORDS, an award-winning Barbershop Chorus.
Lucky in love, Jack won the heart of his beloved Betty and married her in Gresham, OR in 1946 while on leave. They immediately traveled to Jack’s next duty station in Jacksonville, FL. Jack and Betty were a dynamic pair for 56 years, raising three children, traveling to many ports of call, and sharing many passions and interests, until Betty’s death in 2002.
In August of 2002, Jack began a new chapter of his life with his marriage to Rosalind Sharon Lupien. For 20 years they joyfully experienced life together as deeply kindred spirits, enjoying music, gardening, and many sweet treats. Jack is survived by a loving crew: his wife, Lyn, his three children, Colleen Carpenter-Simmons (Curt), Jack Carpenter Jr (Ariane), and Michael Carpenter (Pam), five grandchildren, Sara Simmons (Justin), Jacob Carpenter (Amie), Joanna Large (Wilson), Garrett Carpenter (Mollie), Evan Carpenter (Treah) and four great grandchildren, Jonas, Abby, Brannon and Lena.
We will not see his like again. Rest now stalwart, inspired traveler. Our love for you goes on. Memorial donations can be made to the First United Methodist Church in Oak Harbor.
