John D. “Big John” Carpenter, 86, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2025. Born June 23, 1939, in Parkersburg, W.Va., he was the son of the late Everett and Esther Carpenter.

A 1957 graduate of Parkersburg High School, John was a state wrestling champion and maintained lifelong friendships with his high school buddies. He attended West Virginia University, where he was a proud member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. It was there that he met the love of his life, Carol, his wife of 65 years.

John and Carol settled in Parkersburg, where he joined his family’s homebuilding business, Carpenter and Carpenter. Together, they built custom homes for many Parkersburg families and developed Woodland Park. His career later led him to Charlotte, N.C., where he worked with John Crosland Homes, and then to their beloved Seabrook Island, S.C., with Centex Homes. As division president, John led the development of numerous notable projects, including Barefoot Landing in Myrtle Beach and several golf course communities in collaboration with legendary golfers Arnold Palmer, Davis Love III, Pete Dye, and Greg Norman.

John was an avid golfer and loved fishing in the Florida Keys, both passions he continued to enjoy his entire life, even shooting his age in golf at 83.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Jenny Lynne Frances, and his brother William “Bill” Everett Carpenter (Linda). He is survived by his beloved wife Carol; daughter Kathy Nelson (Rob); sons John Carpenter (Alice) and Chase Carpenter (Livi); grandchildren Jordan Bass (Rette), Cory Nelson (Samantha), David Carpenter (Jordyn), Savannah Carpenter, Tyson Carpenter, and Faith Carpenter; and great-grandchildren Beckett Nelson, Oakley Nelson, Ella Bass, and John “Jack” David Carpenter IV. He also leaves behind countless friends from West Virginia, Seabrook Island, and the Florida Keys.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at 4 p.m. at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, 494 East Plaza Drive, Mooresville, NC 28115. A reception will follow.

Cavin-Cook Funeral Home and Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the Carpenter family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.