Rev. Eugene Edward Carpenter

Rev. Eugene Edward Carpenter

Washington

Rev. Eugene Edward Carpenter, age 81, of Washington, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at the University of Iowa Hospital.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 2, 2024, at the First Baptist Church with Rev. Aaron Carpenter and Pastor Darryl Carr officiating. Calling hours will begin 2:00 p.m. Thursday at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Thursday. Interment with military honors will be held at the Cambrian Cemetery in rural Louisa County, Iowa. A general memorial has been established. Online condolences may be sent for Eugene’s family at www.jonesfh.com

Gene was born April 17, 1942, in Hawarden, Iowa, the son of Glen Edward and Bernice (Richmond) Carpenter. Gene graduated from Akron High School in Akron, Iowa, and then served in the United States Navy for four years. While in the Navy, Gene was an Air Traffic Controller. Following his honorable discharge, Gene attended Seminary at Sioux Falls College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was united in marriage to Delores Wilson on July 9, 1983.

Gene has lived in Washington County since 1991. He was a Pastor all of his life serving various churches in Michigan, Illinois, South Dakota and Iowa. He was currently serving the Cotter Presbyterian and the Salem Welsh Presbyterian Churches. Gene also worked at Optimae Life Services for many years. He was a train enthusiast and was the President of the Model Railroad Club in Washington. He was active in the Lions Club, VFW, and served on the Board of Directors of Lending Hands. He received the Washington Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year Award as well as numerous volunteer awards. While in Illinois, Gene was active with the Food Share program and was a volunteer Firefighter. Gene was proud to be part of the Honor Flight to Washington D.C., in the summer of 2023.

He is survived by his wife, Delores Carpenter, of Washington, Iowa; son, Jesse Carpenter of Clear Lake, Iowa; daughter, Becky (John) Carpenter of Springfield, Illinois; daughter, Dawn Garcia of Washington, Iowa; son, Noah (Belinda) Carpenter of Council Bluffs, Iowa; son, Ryan (Stephanie) Carpenter of Riverside, Iowa; son, Rev. Aaron Carpenter of Iowa City, Iowa; daughter, Addison Carpenter of Washington, Iowa; 14 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; sister, Leota (James) Swanson of Homer, Nebraska; brother, Leland Carpenter and wife Marie Helene Mondou of Fort Pierce, Florida; as well as many special friends that he treated as family.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister, Peggy McCabe and her husband Don.