Douglas Lamarr Carpenter

Cremation arrangements for Douglas Lamarr Carpenter, 86 of Kilgore are under the direction of Rader Funeral Home in Kilgore. The family will gather for a memorial service at a later date. Mr. Douglas Carpenter completed his earthly journey on Friday, August 18, 2023.

Douglas was born on April 15, 1937, in Arp, Texas to Riley Cecil Carpenter and Lois Nadine Johns Carpenter. He was a proud graduate of Kilgore High School class of 1955. After graduating High School, Douglas enlisted in the United States Navy. He and Jimmie Climer departed from the train station after saying their goodbyes to family and friends and headed toward the base in California. Douglas was assigned to Guided Missile School serving on the USS Boston. He proudly served his country for four years. After being honorably discharged from the United States Navy, Douglas moved back to Kilgore, Texas. He reconnected with Marlene Climer and asked her on a movie date; the rest is history. Douglas married the love of his life Marlene Climer on January 27, 1962. He attended Kilgore College and continued his education at the University of Texas at Austin. Mr. Carpenter worked for SWEPCO in the engineering department for fourteen years. Afterwards he and William Boothe opened Kilgore Appliance and Refrigeration. Douglas co-owned and operated Kilgore Appliance and Refrigeration until his retirement. Mr. Carpenter was a member of First Baptist Church of Kilgore. He loved quail hunting. Mr. Carpenter raised his own hunting dogs and took this sport very seriously. He had many hunting buddies and spent much of his time at hunting leases. Douglas was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend to many. He will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of sixty-one years Marlene Climer Carpenter, daughter Jill Lestage and husband Todd; grandson Noah Carpenter and wife Maria; great-grandchildren Blake Carpenter, Isaiah Carpenter, and Grayson Carpenter; sisters-in-law Susan Green and husband Bud and Ellen Carpenter; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other loving family members.

Douglas was reunited with first and foremost his loving son Chris Carpenter. As well as his parents Riley and Lois Carpenter, brothers Jackie Don Carpenter and Junior Mullican, and lifelong friend and brother-in-law Jimmie Climer and wife Donna.

Please leave online condolences at www.raderfuneralhome.com