Obituary from the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Sunday, May 24, 2009, page B2:

Longtime Fairbanks resident Gary Thomas Carpenter, 63, died unexpectedly, Friday, May 22, 2009, at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. Gary was born Jan. 25, 1946, in San Antonio, Texas. His family moved to Santa Barbara, Calif., where he graduated high school and furthered his education in college and electrical technical training. Gary first moved to Anchorage in 1969, then on to Fairbanks in 1970. He worked for Xerox, Tesco Lighting, IBM and Slumberjay Oilfield Services before starting his own locksmith business, Fairbanks Lockout Services. Gary really loved fishing and enjoyed computers, photography, electronics and was part of a four-wheeling club. He especially enjoyed spending time with friends at a monthly lunch club and fishing in Valdez.

One of his favorite sayings was, "Don't let the turkeys keep you from soaring with the eagles." He often said this to encourage people with his unique sense of humor. "Gary will be terribly missed by all his family and friends," wrote his family. Gary was preceded in death by his parents Boyd Carpenter, Sr. and Lera Carpenter. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Robin Murray of Fairbanks; daughter, Kimberly Carpenter of Fairbanks; son, James Carpenter of Fairbanks; brother and sister in-law, Boyd Carpenter, Jr. and Karon Carpenter of Tucson, AZ; nephews, Kurt Carpenter of San Francisco, Calif., and Mark Carpenter of Tucson, Ariz.; brother in-law, Christopher Murray of Portland, Ore.; sister in-law, Noel Murray of Fairbanks; extended Alaskan family, David Leavy of Healy; Alvin Murray of Valdez, Emily Ennis and Larry Gooding both of Fairbanks, Lelan and Julie Day both of Fairbanks and Devere Peschl of Healy.

A celebration of Gary's life will be held at 3 p.m., Monday, May 25, 2009 at the Fairbanks Funeral Home, 3704 Erickson Ave. (Erickson Ave. & University Ave.) in Fairbanks. A gathering will immediately follow the services at the Fairbanks Resource Agency, 805 Airport Way in Fairbanks. Memorial contributions may be made in Gary's memory to the FNSB, Animal Shelter, 2408 Davis Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709. Memorial contributions may be made in Gary's memory to the FNSB, Animal Shelter, 2408 Davis Road, Fairbanks, AK 99709.