Edwin James Carpenter Jr.

Edwin James Carpenter Jr., 89, of Abita Springs, LA., passed away Sunday morning November 12th.  He was born May 31, 1934.  E.J. was preceded in death by his wife, Irma Carpenter, and his parents, Edwin Carpenter and Eula Carpenter.  He is survived by his children: Barry Carpenter (Rita), Karen Tero (David), Mark Carpenter (Amy), Doug Carpenter (Peggy), Steven Carpenter (Catherine), 29 grandchildren, 40 great- grandchildren, Sibling: Morris Carpenter.

E.J. was born and raised in Baton Rouge.  After graduation from Istrouma High school, he enlisted and served two years in the Navy.  Upon his discharge he enrolled at LSU where he majored in Physics.  Because of a growing family, E.J. resigned from LSU only a few credit hours from graduation.  He studied for and passed an electrical engineering exam.

After his certification, E.J. worked for twenty years at Avondale Shipyard in Avondale, LA.  In the early 1980s, he left Avondale and started working as an Electrical Engineer for the O.D.E.C.O oil corporation in New Orleans.  When O.D.E.C.O. was bought out by the Diamond M Corporation, E.J. and Irma moved to Sealy, TX and worked there until his retirement.

Though E.J. did not receive a degree in Physics, he never lost his love for the discipline.  He was fascinated with time, the speed of light, and gravity.  He spent many hours contemplating and attempting to explain to his children the relationship between the three.

E.J. loved camping, fishing and trawling.  Every summer he took his family camping either to Toledo Bend, or to East Timbalier Island in the Gulf of Mexico.  He spent countless weekends taking his family trawling for shrimp.

When E.J. retired from Diamond M/O.D.E.C.O., he bought an RV and spent the next several years travelling across the United States with his wife Irma.  In the later years of his life his greatest joy came from his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Every Christmas his home was filled with children hovering around the Christmas tree and singing around the piano.  He and Irma sat back with joy just watching their family.

The last years of E.J.’s life were spent caring for his wife Irma as she descended into the fog of dementia.  A year after Irma’s passing, he was diagnosed with mesothelioma.  He would not travel again, nor would he be able to enjoy his hobbies.  However, he truly looked forward to spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

E.J.’s visitation will be at Trinity Baptist Church, 71117 Highway 59, Abita Springs, LA 70420 on Thursday, November 16th 12:00 PM, with Funeral Service following at 1:00 PM.

Private internment to be held at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, Slidell, LA. on Wednesday November 22nd at 10:00 a.m.

Condolences and tributes can be posted at www.serenitycovington.com

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