Max Carpenter, 93, a long-time Genesee County resident and business owner, passed away at his home in McKinney, TX, Saturday morning, March 5th, 2022.
Max was born on April 1, 1928, in McClain, TX. After proudly serving his country in the army, Max attended Wayland Baptist College in Plainview, TX, where he met the love of his life, who caught his eye and captured his heart while wearing a yellow dress and strolling across the street. He and Patsy (Lee) married on March 14th, 1952. Max and Patsy began their marriage in California. Soon after their first child, Robert, was born, Max moved his family to Flint, Michigan. Despite folks making fun of his cowboy boots with their pointed toes, he found success, creating one of the first drywall businesses in the area. This innovation helped him build houses for General Motors Employees in the Flint and surrounding areas and his business grew, as did his family. He and Patsy welcomed two more children, their daughters, Joy and Michelle. The family eventually settled in Grand Blanc, where they raised their children and grandchildren. Max became a contractor, opening his company, Max Carpenter-Builder, and was later joined in business by his son, Robert.
After many wonderful years, Max and Patsy retired to McKinney, TX in 2006, joining their daughters and their families to spend their twilight years in the warmer climate.
Max enjoyed meeting up with his buddies at Big Boy every Saturday morning, enjoying laughs and loud conversation before making their way to the Crossbow Inn to indulge in their large lunch portions and even larger gin martinis. He loved long Sunday drives in his Cadillacs and classic country music. Down in Texas he loved treating his grand sons and grand sons-in-law to lunches at his favorite Mexican restaurant. His very best moments were spent surrounded by his children and grandchildren, laughing, and telling stories of years past.
There was nothing more important to Max than family. He thought he had the most beautiful family in all the world and always reminded all of them how special they were. In the end, he was full of love, joy, and contentment, and although he hated to leave his life-long love, Patsy, he was ready to go home to God and see his beloved son, Bobby, again.
Max is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Patsy; his two daughters, Joy (Bob) Darling and Shelly Butler of McKinney, TX; his daughter-in-law Beatrice Carpenter of Grand Blanc; grandchildren, Amanda (Joshua) Sauvie, Tricia (Brian) Peters, Christina (Andrew) Nerreter, Shea Darling, Jessica (Scott) Hornus, Preston (Megan) Butler, Max (Melissa) Butler, and Paige Butler; and 12 great-grandchildren: Kyler, Madilyn, Carson, Lillian, Jacob, Bobby, Evelyn, Clara May, Emma, Ambrose, Max, and Ava Jo. He is preceded in death by his son, Robert Carpenter and his parents and brothers and sisters.
To our dear Pa,
Happy trails to you, until we meet again.
A memorial service will be held on at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, March 13, 2022 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, TX 75013. The service will also be live streamed at TJMfuneral.com on Max’s obituary page by clicking on the following link: https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/max-e-carpenter. After the service, the recorded live stream will be available for viewing at the same link location.