Norman Lee Carpenter, 76

SP5, U.S. Army

Vietnam Veteran

Sept. 14, 1940 — Oct. 21, 2016

Norm passed away surrounded by his family and friends on Oct. 21, 2016, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Griffin; his daughter, Sharron Clevenstine; her husband, Charles Clevenstine; stepdaughter Deborah Whitlock; her husband, Larry Whitlock; five grandchildren: Kevin Godard, Steven Ervin, Tyler Kent, Jason Keith and Charlotte Baker; six great-grandchildren: Michaela Copley, Trevor Baker, Skylar Baker, Andrew Garcia, Bailey Wilson and Taya Keith; and two brothers, Elwood Carpenter and Stanley Passey.

Norman was born on Sept. 14, 1940, to Edgar Carpenter and Irene Schaat in Jackson Hole, Wyo. He was raised in Southeastern Idaho and moved to Hollywood, Calif., when he was 15 where he attended Hollywood High School. He worked for Standard Oil before going to work for MGM Studios in 1961. Then in 1966-1968, Uncle Sam drafted him to serve in the U.S. Army at Fort Bragg, N.C. After he was discharged, Norm and his wife, Charlene, traveled the U.S. in a VW Bug before he went back to work at MGM Studios until the studio closed in 1989. His Charlene died that same year.

After MGM, he worked for Eastman Kodak and Disney before opening BNL Machine Shop with his cousins, Bob and Leon. Norman officially retired in 2001 and moved from Reseda, Calif., to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Norm and Joan traveled the back roads, visited historical sites, the rodeos and enjoyed going to the Coeur d’Alene Casino together. He loved helping people to better their lives. He loved to travel with Joan, Deb and Larry. Norm was a history buff — especially about the Hollywood movie industry. Mexican food was his favorite fare. Norm loved family and friends.

Norman Carpenter accepted Jesus on Oct. 15, 2016. He was at peace and had complete presence of mind when he bid his family, friends and his Joan goodbye before he left this world. And oh how Norm is missed.

English Funeral Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit Norm’s online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.