Ronald "Ron" Gary Carpenter

Ronald "Ron" Gary Carpenter, Sr., age 79, of Battle Creek passed away peacefully on Monday morning, January 24, 2022 at the Glenn Arbor Hospice Residence. He was born in Battle Creek on December 5, 1942, the loving son of John Robert and Lucille (Gainder) Carpenter and graduated from Lakeview High School with the Class of 1961. Ron worked for several years as a truck driver for Davis Oil, Behnke Trucking and R & L Freight.

Ron married Lynda Merchant in Battle Creek on June 1, 1987; she survives. He is also survived by his son, Ronald G. (Jennifer) Carpenter, Jr., of Springfield, Missouri; his sisters, Cynthia (Ken) Yoder and Marcia Rice; sister-in-law, Marcia Carpenter; Lynda's son, Lynn Jenkins; his dog "Snickers"; and several nieces & nephews. Ron was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Roger A. Carpenter.

Ron was a member of the National Street Rod Association and a former member of the Lakeview Lions Club. He built a stunning 1948 (5-Window) Chevy truck and enjoyed going to car shows. Ron enjoyed all types of racing, but his favorites were NASCAR and open-wheel racing. He also enjoyed building race cars & go-karts and looked forward to the "Chili Bowl" in Tulsa every year.

The family will receive friends 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, January 28, 2022 at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Battle Creek. Private funeral services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Centrica Care Navigators.


The family has created a beautiful slideshow with photos throughout the years that may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/672452360.