James Alan Carpenter, known as “Jim,”  73, passed away peacefully in Glendale, Arizona, on April 10, 2025 after nearly a decade of serious health challenges. He braved five bouts of cancer with courage, determination, and patience. He didn’t complain or make a fuss. He simply kept showing up — preferably with a Hostess cupcake and Coke in hand.

Born in Chicago on August 22, 1951 to Lorraine Marie Robel Carpenter and George Charles Carpenter, Jim was the oldest of three brothers. Since childhood, Jim was a good big brother to Roger and Brian and set a good example with his guidance, intelligence, work ethic, and aspirations to live well.

Jim was a curious boy who displayed his knack for engineering by building a table lamp at age 10. When he was 11, the family settled in Itasca, Illinois. Jim assembled a working ham radio and citizens band radio as a teenager. He enjoyed participating in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and had an aptitude for mechanics. He took apart and repaired bicycles and fully restored a 1962 Studebaker Lark. The car was outfitted with emergency lights so he could respond to emergencies as a volunteer for the local Civil Defense. For his first job, he was a gas station attendant in Itasca.

At Lake Park High School in Roselle, Illinois, Jim excelled in mathematics, science, and the German language. At the age of 16 he began working at Ascension Alexian Brothers in Elk Grove in the Central Supply Department, a job passed on to his brothers, Roger and Brian, and their cousin Art. Jim later worked in the hospital maintenance department. 

He graduated high school in the class of 1970 and then attended University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to complete degrees in software and electrical engineering in 1974. He was an active participant in the Newman Foundation, a Catholic student organization. He was a proud Illinois alum throughout his life. 

After graduation, Jim held significant roles at GTE in Illinois and in Phoenix, and AG Communications and Lucent technologies where he contributed to innovations in telecommunications software design and ANSI standards. Jim was a highly respected Senior Engineer at General Dynamics Mission Systems where he specialized in systems and requirements engineering. He celebrated retirement in 2017.

In 1976 he married Laura Wasson, his first wife. They divorced after 13 years. He spent happy years with Elaine, with whom he traveled to Europe. They lived in Germany in 1991. 

After a few years as a bachelor, he married Chalice on November 24, 1998 and stepped into the role of stepdad to three girls. They moved to Glendale, Arizona in 1999 and built a life together. For the past 26 years, Jim and Chalice were committed to their relationship and supporting each other with careers, health challenges, and life’s surprises. 

As a stepdad, Jim showed his love by service and support for whatever the girls needed or wanted. He took Emily and her friends to QuikTrip for candy and sodas and late-night toilet paper runs to “decorate” friends’ front lawns. He built a special reading "treehouse" for Erika in her room. He attended graduations, weddings, and showed up for the girls’ life milestones. Crystalee gave her youngest baby the middle name James to honor his courageous battles with cancer.

Jim had friendships that spanned decades and he especially loved camping trips with his buddies. He was such a loyal friend that his friends’ children called him “Uncle Carp.” For 20 years, he dedicated Monday video game nights to playing Battlefield with his buddies, dubbed the “Frikken Fraggers.” 

Jim enjoyed simple pleasures: wearing 100% cotton t-shirts with funny sayings, bargain hunting for smoking deals online, browsing Costco aisles, doing yard work while listening to NPR, and watching Saturday Night Live or The X-Files.

He had a soft spot for animals, especially his beloved Maggie, a Yorkie Poo, who lived 16 years. Her passing left a deep mark on him; he once wrote, “She was such a joy to our lives and will be greatly missed.” He gave regularly to animal rescue shelters and looked out for the small and voiceless.

He was fascinated by World War II history, a passion likely passed down from his parents, both of whom served in the military. His dad was in the 8th Air Force’s 749th Bomb Squadron, and his mom served in the Navy WAVES. He was proud of them both and honored their legacy. 

Jim was an avid supporter of the arts, especially live musical performances across the Valley of the Sun. He and Chalice were Arizona Broadway season ticket holders for many years and for 26 years. Jim volunteered at Fiddler’s Dream Coffeehouse, a Phoenix-based nonprofit that celebrates and supports folk and acoustic music. He believed deeply in their mission to preserve folk and acoustic music through community. He served on the board for 20 years and helped keep the website running to announce upcoming events. 

Jim was a man of kindness, curiosity, and quiet generosity. He showed love through service and did countless acts of thoughtful handyman work at home. He could fix anything. One of Jim’s favorite quotes was: “A life isn’t significant except for its impact on other lives.” His life made a lasting impact on those closest to him. He will be missed more than he probably could have imagined.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Chalice Carpenter; his stepdaughters Crystalee Beck (Ryan), Erika Petersen (Matt), and Emily Webb (Benton); and seven grandchildren: Lydia, Evelyn, Bryson, Charles, Bridger, Elizabeth, and Colby. He is also survived by his brothers Roger Carpenter (Cindy) and Brian Carpenter (Nancy); cousin Art Bjornson (Diane), and his beloved dogs, Molly and Cody.

A celebration of life will be held privately with family and friends. In the meantime, you can honor Jim by donating to an animal shelter, supporting Fiddler’s Dream, or pouring yourself a cold Coke and raising a Hostess cupcake in his honor.