Thomas James Carpenter Jr.

Thomas James Carpenter Jr., 90, of Moline passed away on September 9, 2017.

A memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at Calvary Church of the Quad Cities, 4700 53 Street in Moline.  Visitation will be from 10 – 11.  Memorials may be made to the Church to assist with the new Park and Recreation Center or to Christian Care Mission, 2209 3 Avenue, Rock Island.  Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd. is assisting with arrangements.

Tom was born on January 27, 1927 in Brownsburg, Quebec Canada the son of Thomas James and Rose Starr Carpenter Sr.  He married Irene M. Racine on October 11, 1947 in Brownsburg, Quebec Canada.  She preceded him in death on November 20, 2010.

Tom was employed with John Deere for 31 years retiring in 1980.  He was a member of Calvary Church of the Quad Cities and was involved with the grief ministry and loved music.  Tom was a stately gentleman that enjoyed being with people and loved to make them laugh.

Survivors include

Children          Joanne (Paul) Williams                       Sarasota, FL

Dan (Debbie) Carpenter                     Aledo, IL

Bonnie (Chuck) Wheeler                   Geneseo, IL

8 grandchildren

12 great grandchildren

Sister               Moneen Johnson                                 Nashville, TN

2 nephews & 3 great nephews

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, a sister and a granddaughter.

A few words for the family, friends and community I was blessed to love and be loved by for 90 plus years.  Love God every second of every day because he loves you back the same no matter what! Thank you God for loving all of us and showing us your grace, I love you. Keep your family as close as you can daily and set your life up with pictures of goodness all around you. Don’t just live the day, save a picture put it up and cherish it every new day. Expect yourself and the ones you love to fail sometimes and be prepared to love all the same regardless. Everyone deserves and needs forgiveness and thank you for every forgiveness you gave me! Marry the woman of your dreams, keep the woman of your dreams and honor the woman of your dreams always. When you lose the woman of your dreams, spend the rest of your life looking forward to getting back to her! Thank you Irene for showing me the way and thank you for the rest of our eternal life together with God! We are together again and never again will we be apart. Let your children call you daddy forever no matter what age and never forget no matter what age they are, they were your little children. Make every encounter with everyone count.  You can't have too many friends.  There is not enough time to save and accept being strangers.  Be remembered and do something worth remembering. Make the people around you laugh and do it always at no one’s expense. I suggest a small name change, example “Tommy Baby".  Say it often and make others say it back.  Even print it out real large so all can see. Making people happy feels good and I never found a person who thought they did it to much. Simply put, life is worth living and living life with a smile and love is the best way, again, thank you God!  Never, and I mean never, throw away a post it note and if you see a spare one, have the courage to ask for it. I have no idea what I would do without them. Laugh as some did, my life was better with and because of a post it notes.  Never underestimate a good ole “finger point and shake” and if needed add “now you just wait a minute”.  It really works and pauses a person. The older you get, the better it will work. To all those that got a finger pointing, I love you and don’t be mad, start pointing and you’ll see.

My life was rich and full with love and I have many great memories as I left you and this world. I left with love for you all but left going to the greatest love of all! Thank you to all for loving me so.

Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com.