Carl A. Carpenter

Carl A. Carpenter, 90, a former resident of Trenton, Missouri and recent resident of Blue Springs, died at 6:50 p.m. on Sunday, December 28, 2025 at Olathe Hospice House, Olathe, Kansas.

A memorial service will be held Friday, January 9, 2026 at 2:00 in the afternoon at Resthaven Mortuary, Trenton, with family visitation immediately preceding at 1:00.  Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Gardens, Trenton.

Carl was born January 15, 1935 in Fulton, New York, the son of Arthur and Ida (Starks) Carpenter.  He attended Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa and graduated from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Missouri with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and later with a Master’s Degree in Education Administration.

Carl married Gloria Jean Miller on August 11, 1956 in Long Beach, California.  The couple began their teaching careers in Garden City, Missouri, where Carl served as teacher and coach.  After one year of teaching, he entered military service and was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky.  Upon discharge from the Army, he taught and coached in Warsaw, Missouri, and taught, coached and served as Assistant Principal in Windsor, Missouri.  The family moved to Trenton in 1966, where he was Principal of Adams Junior High School until his retirement in 1991.  During his time in Trenton, he also founded the Trenton High School tennis program for both boys and girls, was instrumental in securing funding and supervising construction of the high school tennis courts, and served on the Park Board.  He was an active member of the Community of Christ churches in Trenton and later Chillicothe, holding the office of Elder and serving as Pastor.

Survivors include his wife, Gloria, of the home; one daughter, Connie Anthony, of Dallas, Texas; one son, Craig Carpenter (Kristin), of Alpharetta, Georgia; three grandchildren, Carly Anthony Miller (Daniel), Andie Anthony, and Cade Carpenter; one great-grandchild, Thomas Miller; and one sister, Doreen Netter (David).

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Elbert A. “Al” Carpenter and Laurence A. “Skip” Carpenter; and his son-in-law, Thomas Anthony.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the Foundation Trust for Trenton High School, PO Box 185, Trenton, MO 64683. (Please note Carl Carpenter on your check’s memo line.)

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