James Robert Carpenter Jr.

James Robert (Bob) Carpenter Jr. of West Helena, Ark., died on Jan. 26, 2017. Son of Jamie Barbee and James Robert Carpenter Sr., Mr. Carpenter was a lifetime resident of Phillips County, Ark. He was a graduate of Tennessee Military Institute in Sweetwater, Tenn., and attended Baylor University where he played football. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army 2nd Division, serving his country in France, Germany, Belgium and Czechoslovakia in World War II. In 1947, he married Dorothy Moore. Following his merchant father, James Robert Carpenter Sr., he became the founder and proprietor of Delta Hardware, now approaching 100 years of Carpenter mercantile ownership in Elaine, Ark.
As a believer, a Christian and lifelong member of the Baptist church, he served the Elaine Baptist Church in many capacities. He taught Sunday school, led the choir and served as a deacon. Following his move to West Helena for 25 years, he taught Sunday school in First Baptist Church of Helena.
Throughout his lifetime, Mr. Carpenter was a contributor to his community. He was a charter member of the Elaine Kiwanis Club in 1952 and a 71-year member of The American Legion. As a Kiwanian, he served as president, secretary and treasurer. He was president of the Elaine School Board and a pioneer of the Elaine Little League program. With his fellow teammates on the Tri County League baseball team, he served as catcher.
Mr. Carpenter’s involvement in the Helena community included a position as a member of the Phillips County Port Authority Slackwater Harbor Board for multiple terms and president of the Helena Country Club. A golf enthusiast, he was a life member of the Mississippi Seniors Golf Association.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Reverend Alvis Carpenter, and his son, James Robert Carpenter III. He is survived and celebrated by his wife of 69 years, Dorothy Carpenter, his children, Roxanna Carpenter and Gary Carpenter, his grandchildren Stephanie Trapp Francis (Edward) and Joshua Carpenter Trapp (Elizabeth), and his seven great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Samaritan’s Purse at P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 or samaritanspurse.org.