Gerald Carpenter

Gerald Lee Carpenter Jr., of Kalamazoo, MI went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at the age of 54. Gerald was born in Oneida, NY on June 18, 1962, the son of Gerald Lee Carpenter Sr. and Bette (Cheney) Carpenter. He graduated from Comstock High School in 1980. He served his country with the United States Navy from February of 1981 February of 1985, aboard the USS Clark FFG11 Electricians Mate. He was a journeyman pipefitter at James River/Crown Vantage until its closing. He graduated from Kalamazoo Valley Community College in 2007 with a RN degree. He began working for Bronson Hospital in 2008 on the Adult Medical Unit and was certified in Geriatric Nursing (RN-C) and won the Daisy Award in 2011. He was a member of Northeastern Baptist Church. He was a member of the Kalamazoo Rod and Gun Club. He had many hobbies which included golfing, target shooting, hunting, traveling & trying a variety of new restaurants. Most of all he loved spending time with his family and teaching and sharing his knowledge. He is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Diane (Beilby) Carpenter and their children, Jessica (Andre) Taylor, Jennifer (Ed Daniels) Carpenter, Bradley (Paige Schultz) Carpenter and Katelyn (Ben) Greene; grandchildren, Paige Daniels, Eddie Daniels, Braylee Taylor, Ayden Carpenter, Samuel Taylor, Aaliyah Daniels and another grandchild expected in January of 2017; his mother, Bette Anne (Cheney) Carpenter; siblings, Scott (Courtney) Carpenter, Rebecca (James) Worthington, Amelia Carpenter, Sarah (Branden) Ruelas and Deborah Carpenter; one sister-in-law and one brother-in-law, Dawn (John) Chamberlin and David (Sarah) Beilby; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Gerald Lee Carpenter Sr.; one sister-in-law, Kathryn Beilby; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, R. Louis Beilby and Margaret Beilby. Friends may visit with the family from 5-8 p.m. on Monday, August 1st at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007. The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, August 2nd at Northeastern Baptist Church, 6536 East G Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49048. Interment will follow in Ft. Custer National Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Northeastern Baptist Church Missionary Fund.