Charles D. Carpenter Sr., 77

On Aug. 23, 2014, Charles D. "Charlie" Carpenter, Sr., graduated from this life to Eternity.

Charlie was born June 3, 1937, in Spring Lake, Mich., to Charles and Bertha Carpenter. He had one sister, Ida, and three brothers, Richard, Jim and John. His family moved to North Idaho in 1938 where Charlie remained for the next 76 years (except for a short stay in California). He never found anywhere he loved as well as North Idaho.

Charlie attended the one-room Corbin grade school until attending Spirit Lake High School. He left school to go to work, and never stopped. From that point forward, Charlie was self taught. If he didn't know how to do something, he had somebody show him or bought a book and worked through it himself.

When Charlie was 19, he met and married the love of his life, Fay Phillips. They were wed June 24, 1956, and produced two children, five grandchildren, one great-grandchild - and 58 wonderful years. When Charlie married into the Phillips family he truly became one of the family. He loved each of them as if he had been born into their family of 10 kids. There were many incredible years spent and memories created with these brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Early in his life Charlie showed his entrepreneurial side, starting a logging business, a butcher shop, a home building company, another butcher shop and, finally, an excavation business. When Charlie created Pioneer Excavation he found the work he would love the rest of his life. For the past 27 years he worked building roads and performing excavation work for Dennis Swartout. Charlie and Dennis never had a single contract between them, always just a hand shake; two men who formed a friendship and bond of trust.

A quiet man of deep faith, Charlie was involved in several Christian ministries. He served on the board at Falls Full Gospel for years, and then at Pleasant View Church. Charlie and Fay funded the building of a church in the Philippines, and took mission trips to the Philippines and Russia. They gave generously of their time and resources to help others and grow the kingdom of God.

The most important things to Charlie were his faith, his family, his word (which was better than any contract), and building roads. Children naturally gravitated to him and he loved to tease them. He was a strong man who was tender, kind and trustworthy. No wonder children liked him. Charlie had a tendency to notice and be drawn to those that others seemed to never see.

Charlie was preceded in death by his father and mother, Charles and Bertha Carpenter; and his brother, Richard.

He is survived by his wife, Fay Carpenter, of Post Falls, Idaho; daughter Sheryl Williams (Dave) of Post Falls, and son Charles D. "David" Carpenter, Jr. (Ellen) of Gilbert, Ariz.; grandchildren Kimberly Williams of Liberty Lake, Wash., Brian Williams of Post Falls, Katie Elledge of Gilbert, Ariz., Lisa Weddle of Mesa, Ariz., and Charles D. "Chad" Carpenter III of Mesa; great-grandson Owen Weddle of Mesa; mother-in-law Dorothy Phillips Miller; sister Ida Parks (and family) of Dalton Gardens, Idaho; brother Jim (and family) of Post Falls, and brother John (and family) of Haugan, Mont.; and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the following: River City Hospice of Post Falls, and Life Care Center of Post Falls, for their wonderful people and care during this time. Thank you to the men of the morning coffee group at Denny's that he met with nearly every day. A special thanks to Dennis Swartout for creating the job he loved so much; every day was like being on vacation. As a family we truly believe we had many more good years with him because of you, Dennis.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014, at Pleasant View Church, 19587 W. Riverview Drive, Post Falls, ID 83854. English Funeral Chapel is entrusted with arrangements.