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Mr. James Lewis Carpenter Sr. was born Oct. 19, 1939, in Chillicothe, Ohio, to Rotheb and Sylvia E. Carpenter. He died Dec. 25, 2023 in The Andalusia Manor at the age of 84.

He served two years in the Army as a mechanic and then was honorably discharged due to a tank malfunction, where he suffered a back injury. Later in life he moved to Florida where he met the love of his life Shirley Carpenter, and together they moved to Andalusia where they planted roots and raised a family.

He started to work with Mr. Walter Moore of Andalusia Roofing Company, then later on branched out to start James Carpenter Roofing, where he impacted the lives of so many people, including his children and grandchildren.

He taught them a work ethic and a trade not known to many today. There was not a time you would ride down the road with him when he wouldn’t say I roofed that building or house.

He is survived by his children; Frank and Wanda Carpenter of Dozier, James Jr and Charity Carpenter of River Falls, Anthony Carpenter of Red Level, Timothy and Amber Carpenter of Dozier, Rebecca Carpenter of Andalusia, Jeffery Carpenter of Red Level and Sylvia and Joe Buckman of Red Level; 18 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Russell Carpenter and Herbie Carpenter of Chillicothe, Ohio; many nieces and nephews and several friends and loved ones.

He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Shirley Carpenter; his parents; brothers and sisters; a grandson, Jonathan Evan Carpenter, and granddaughters Skyler Ray and Scarlett Mae Carpenter.

Funeral services for Mr. Carpenter will be held on Friday, Dec. 29, 11 a.m., at Foreman Funeral Home. Reverend Gary Holloway will officiate. The interment will be in the Old Bethesda Cemetery. The body lied in state Thursday, 6 p.m., at Foreman Funeral Home.

Family and friends unable to attend may sign an online registry at www.foremanfuneralhome.com.