Kendall Donne Carpenter

We lost a very dear husband, father, son, brother, mentor and friend when Kendall Donne Carpenter, 57, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Whitefish on Nov. 6, 2012.

Kendall was born to Donald and Veronica (Beck) Carpenter in Wolf Point where he grew up on the family farm. Though he traveled far, Kendall described himself as an educated farm boy and his early home remained close to his heart.

First, and foremost, Kendall loved Gina, his wife of 23 years, and treasured his three successful sons, Kris, Kole and Charlie. Kris was on the U.S. Telemark Ski Team, worked in Glacier Park and owns a successful trucking company. Kole enlisted in the Navy and will be serving on the USS Nimitz in Everett, Wash. He loves his career in the Navy where he is a mass communication specialist. Charlie is attending his first year at MSU in Bozeman studying statistics.

Years ago, Kendall received his 1st Dan Black Belt in Tae Kwan Do. All of his boys followed in his enthusiasm of martial arts with Charlie recently receiving his 2nd Dan in Soo Bahk Do. After Kendall sustained severe injuries on a job in 1990, martial arts conditioning and training helped in his recovery. Declared disabled by physicians after the injury, he refused to accept the diagnosis and pushed on. Through his persistence, he avoided being wheelchair-bound, changed professions and excelled in every endeavor.

Kendall first received his AA Degree in electronics from Miles Community College in 1987 where he was awarded valedictorian and “Outstanding Male Graduate.” After his injury, he went on to graduate from University of Washington, School of Medicine’s Rehabilitation Department in Seattle with a degree in prosthetics and orthotics in 1996, where he was voted “Most Likely to Succeed.”

In 2000, Kendall received his master’s in prosthetics and orthotics with a minor in administration from University of Connecticut’s School of Allied Health. Later that year, Kendall and Gina opened what became Glacier Prosthetic Care, Inc. with offices in Kalispell and Sandpoint, Idaho.

Truly thankful for each and every person who came through our door for help, many became good friends. With our beloved staff who became a family: Ian Reynolds, Niles Velin, Leisa Houlahan, Tiffany Partain, Mariko Bryan and Danielle (Essex) Shoppe, Kendall helped so many people, whether they were able to pay or not. A wonderful mentor and teacher, the business will continue in Kendall’s honor under new leadership.

Throughout his active life, Kendall enjoyed many activities. Skiing, golfing, snorkeling and hiking with his family, and excelled in woodworking. Kendall often played cribbage and enjoyed watching baseball with Gina. A great neighbor and friend, you’d find him outside in early morning darkness blowing new snow from driveways for his friends and feeding the neighborhood deer.

Preceded in death by his grandparents and sister, Colleen (Coco) Bee of Whitefish, Kendall is survived by his wife, Gina; sons, Kris (mother Karen), Kole and Charlie; parents, Donald and Veronica Carpenter, of Wolf Point; sister, Cathy and brother-in-law Tom Simensen, of Kalispell; many in-laws, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins and his beloved dogs, Frisko, Andy, and Baby Girl; and cat, Elvis.

Memorial services will be held Dec. 14, 6:30 p.m. at the Whitefish Community Center located at 121 Second Street East in Whitefish.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Kendall Carpenter Memorial Fund at Whitefish Credit Union, P.O. Box 37, Whitefish, MT 59937 are appreciated.

You are invited to go to www.austinfh.com to offer condolences, share memories, and view Kendall’s tribute wall.

Arrangements entrusted to Austin Funeral Home.