Ronald C. Carpenter

Ronald Carpenter, “Carp”, age 81, was called home by his Savior on Tuesday, October 29th, 2024. Ron was born June 29th, 1943, and adopted by Morris and Myrtle “Lila” Carpenter in Chicago, IL. 

He graduated from Argo High School in 1961. In 1964, he began coaching youth baseball in a southwest suburb of Chicago known as Bridgeview. He was affectionally known as “Carp” or “Coach Carp” by the kids he coached.

Ron was drafted into the US Army on February 5, 1968, and obtained a rank of E5. He took basic training in Ft. Polk, LA, and was stationed in Ft. Stewart, GA. Ron organized a baseball program while at Ft. Stewart consisting of teams from Ft. Stewart, Hunter Army Air Base in Savannah, and several neighboring communities. 

Ron served one tour in Vietnam and earned the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was honorably discharged on September 20, 1969. 

Upon discharge from the Army, Ron lived and worked in a community for homeless boys known as Boys Estate in GA. While there, he organized a baseball program with Brunswick, Darien, and several other communities. He continued this program until moving to Wausau, WI in 1972. 

In 1973, he began coaching the Wausau Pony League program and he was elected to the board of directors. In 1975 the Wausau Pony League became Wausau Senior League and Ron coached a team known as the Tigers.

Ron started the Wausau Area All-Star Baseball Teams program in 1980 with the assistance of Mr. Jack Torresani from Wausau East High School. In 2000, the Wausau Area All-Star Baseball Team program became known as the Wisconsin River Rats in honor of the Lumberjacks who worked on the Wisconsin River. Ron continued to manage and coach the Wisconsin River Rats until 2021. 

In May of 2021, Ron suffered a fall down some stairs, which caused a broken neck and subsequently a stroke. While his mind remained sharp, he never physically recovered.

In 1987, Ron adopted his son, Tony. Ron enjoyed spending time with his family, and he loved making people laugh. He took great pride in his granddaughters; he enjoyed watching them grow up. He spent many weekends at his cottage in Three Lakes, WI that he helped build in 1965. 

When Ron wasn’t coaching, he was an accountant at Zimpro and later Wausau Chemical. He was a favorite tax man for many people in the area. After retiring from Wausau Chemical, he started his own business called R.P.G. Delivery. He delivered airplane parts to different airports. He also drove school bus for several years, and always enjoyed making his bus kids laugh.

Ron was a long-time member of Immanuel Baptist Church. His favorite scripture verse was Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose”.

He is survived by his son, Tony (Jamie) Carpenter; granddaughters; Tristyn, Madilyn and Carrie-anne Carpenter; cousins, Christine Petroski, Calista Wendt and Linda Graykowski; as well as other close family; Lisa Petroski, Robert Kuhnert, and Melissa Blacklock.

He was preceded in death by his parents. 

Ron’s Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, November 18th, 2024 at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 6205 Alderson St., Weston. Pastor Lance Hoelscher will officiate. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM until the time of the service at the church. 

Ron’s family would like to thank the staff at Mount View Care Center for their kind care of Ron over the last 3 ½ years. 

Ascend Funeral Home & Cremation Care is assisting Ron’s family. Condolences may be shared at www.ascendweston.org.