George Weldon Carpenter

George Weldon Carpenter, age 76, a devoted fifty-five-year resident of Leicester, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Asheville, NC, on February 5, 1949, George was the son of the late George Emee Carpenter and Dona Piercy Carpenter. He graduated from Clyde A. Erwin High School and went on to earn his Master’s in Machining and a Bachelor’s degree from AB Tech. George proudly served his country in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War and U.S. advisory operations, where he exemplified courage, dedication, and honor.

Throughout his career, George worked in a variety of fields, reflecting his strong work ethic and versatility. He was employed as a Chemical Engineer at American Enka, served as a brakeman with Norfolk Southern Railway, and later worked as a Clerk with Team 108 at the United States Postal Service. His professional life was marked by diligence and commitment to excellence.

George was a faithful member of Bell United Methodist Church in Leicester and an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). His devotion to his faith, his community, and his fellow veterans was evident in the way he lived his life.

Those left behind to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Kathleen Hawkins Carpenter of the home; his son, Justin Carpenter (Kimberly) of Leicester; grandchildren, Ashley (Brandon) Duncan of Leicester, Emory and partner of Leicester, and Ciera (Patrick) Sweitzer of Leicester; great-grandchildren, Braylin, Liam, and Everlee Duncan; his brother, Gerald Carpenter (Jill) of Elton, SC; and sisters, Sandra Jay of Atlanta, GA, and Deborah Carpenter of Asheville, NC.

A memorial service will be held at a later date to honor George’s life and legacy.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the team at Charles George VA Hospital and Commonwealth Health for their compassionate care and support.

Penland Family Funeral Home is honored to serve the Carpenter family during this time of remembrance.

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