Donald Wayne Carpenter
Donald Wayne Carpenter, Teague, died peacefully at the age of 80 at the Teague Nursing & Rehabilitation facility early Wednesday morning on Jan. 29, 2025.
Don was born Oct. 30, 1944, at the Davidson Hospital in Teague to Willie T. and Zelda Carpenter but spent the majority of his early life in Donie, where he developed a love of the woods and the wildlife within it. This love of nature would be passed on to his children, grandchildren, and countless other relatives and friends. Don was the middle child of 11 children, two brothers and eight sisters.
In addition to his skills as hunter and fisherman, Don, as a teenager, showed his skills as an athlete. At Teague High School he excelled in football and track. At the district track meet his senior year, Don was the high-point man, winning first in the 100-yard dash, first in the 220-yard dash, and first in the 440-yard dash. He was awarded a track scholarship to Navarro Jr. College. Always known for his friendly nature and ready smile, Don was voted both class favorite and all-school favorite by his classmates, but if you were to ask him his most important accomplishment, Don would have told you that it was meeting the love of his life, Penny Lancaster, who was also a member of the Class of ‘63.
After high school, Don attended Navarro and worked various jobs including pushing up cattle at the Buffalo sale barn, driving a brick truck, pumping gas, as well as seeking any other odd job he could find. He soon followed Penny to Huntsville, Tx, where he continued working while she attended Sam Houston. They married on Jan. 28, 1966, and moved to Pasadena, Tx, where he worked at Tube Kote and later at Goodyear Tire. Don and his young family soon tired of the city though, and he and Penny, along with their young son, Wayne, moved back to the fresh air of Teague and Freestone County where he went to work for Brown and Root in Fairfield. He and Penny added to their family a daughter, Laurie, and another son, Craig. He eventually worked at HL&P in Jewett until his retirement. Don quickly realized he had too much free time at home and began a part-time job for Freestone County, Precinct 2 for his good friend, Craig Oakes.
Don’s life was always filled with love for his family and friends. He enjoyed watching his sons and their athletic teams and never missed an opportunity to take them and their friends hunting or fishing. Later, when his grandchildren arrived on the scene, he looked forward to their summer visits and entertained them with whatever they wanted to do, whether it was letting the girls style his hair or agreeing to swim in the pool they set up in the backyard, even if he was in his jeans. He was a good sport at all times with patience for whatever ideas they dreamed up.
An honest man of integrity, Don was humble and friendly to all. If he saw you, he smiled and spoke. Never a harsh word came from his lips. As his oldest son, Wayne, once said, “He has the biggest heart and the littlest ego of any man!” Don will be dearly missed by his family and friends, but the lessons we all learned from the life he led will live on in our hearts.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Zelda Carpenter; brothers, Robert and Jimmy Carpenter; sister, Wilma Carpenter Simmons; and father and mother-in-law, Astol and Doris Lancaster.
He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Penny; his son, Wayne and Rebecca Carpenter; daughter, Laurie and Brad Burnett; son, Craig and Courtney Carpenter; grandchildren, Denali Carpenter, Lexi and Kyle Bordelon, Brady Burnett, Kelsey Carpenter, and Kasen Carpenter. He is also survived by his sisters and their husbands; Vernell Sunday, Mary and Joe Loving, Jo Ann and John Brown, Melba Hullum, Lona & Larry Cates, Dorothy Darby, and Carolyn and Billy Bob Hunt; brother-in-law, Terry Lancaster; brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Barbara Lancaster; and sister and brother-in-law, Jill and Jimmy Harryman. Also left behind to cherish Don’s memory are a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and extended family.
Pallbearers include grandsons, Denali Carpenter, Brady Burnett, Kasen Carpenter; also, Bradley Harryman, Kenneth Brown, and Steven Steen.
Honorary pallbearers include good friends Lane Hall, Marcus Steen, Richard Johnson, Jerry Maggard, Bill Allison, Jimmy Ashley, and John David Teer.
Funeral services will be at Bowers Funeral Home on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 11 a.m. with visitation preceding the service at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.
Bowers Funeral Home 900 U. S. Hwy 84 west Teague, Texas 75860 254-739-2511