THOMAS PRESTON 'RUSTY' CARPENTER SR.

Wasilla resident Thomas Preston "Rusty" Carpenter Sr., 60, died Sept. 21, 2003.

A memorial service was held on Sept. 27 at Sunny Knik Chapel, Mile 14 Knik-Goose Bay Road at 1 p.m. A memorial celebration will also be held in Slana on Oct. 4. Call 357-4196 for details.

Mr. Carpenter was born in Raleigh, N.C., on July 27, 1943. In 1984 he and his family moved to Alaska, homesteading in Slana. In 2000, he and his wife, Paula, moved to the Matanuska Valley.

Mr. Carpenter held many occupations throughout his life. He worked as a mechanic, welder, steelworker, EMT and firefighter.

He served as Slana Corp. president and was a founding member of Homestead Christian Church where he also preached Sunday sermons for a time.

He loved working with his hands, tying flies, playing banjo and other string instruments. He taught many young people to fish, hunt, work with wood and repair all types of machines.

His family wrote, "Rusty was strong and wise, yet humble and gentle, truly devoted to his family, friends and our Heavenly Father. He made a deep impact on the lives of everyone around him, and we will all be greatly affected by our loss. Our only comfort is knowing how much our Lord is enjoying his company right now and we hope he will give God a great big hug for all of us."

Mr. Carpenter was preceded in death by his father Wilson Edward Carpenter Sr., and his mother Margaret Ross McNair of North Carolina.

He is survived by his wife Paula Jean Carpenter; daughter Kimberly Mietzah of Houston and her life-partner Chad Damkoehler; sons and daughter-in-law Thomas and El-Freida Carpenter and Edward Carpenter of Knik; sisters Joann Sprayberry and Marty Euper; and brothers Wilson "Junior" Carpenter and Danny Ross-McNair. He is also survived by grandchildren Tanis Rainee Carpenter and her mother Brook Carpenter of Tok; Monica and Cassie March of Houston; Brandy March of Anchorage and their father David March; Charles, Duane, Jacklynn and Shannon Carpenter of Knik. He leaves behind many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews Zecharia, Isabella, Chase, Cody, Raven, Jacob and Tierra of Knik; and close friends including Larry Thorpe.

Arrangements were made by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory in Wasilla.