Carlos Calvin Carpenter

Carlos Calvin Carpenter, (97), of DeBeque, Colorado, passed away on July 17, 2023, at Mantey Heights.

He had a long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Carlos was born to Carl and Lennie Carpenter, on November 24,1925 in Collbran, Colorado. He grew up

with two brothers (Emmitt and Roland) and one sister (Neva) in Collbran where the family were ranchers.

His school years began at Little Creek School where he attended school through 8th grade. Carlos then

attended Collbran Union High School. He participated in 4H showing sheep and pigs and was a member of

the FFA.

After getting a ranch deferment in 1944, he joined the army in 1945. His first assignment was in Fort Lewis

transporting patients. He then attended medical school where he earned the title of surgical technician and

he worked on the amputee ward at Letterman General Hospital for injured soldiers. He was recognized with

a high rating as ward master.

After the army, he met Winnie Lee Brooke at the Stockman’s Ball in Mesa, CO. She became his wife on

October 4th, 1949. They began their life in DeBeque, their family started with the birth of Carla in 1950, and

continued with Connie in 1951, Gwen in 1956, and Eddie in 1969.

During his peak ranching years, Carlos had a herd of 750 cattle, a herd of 850 sheep, and 8000 acres of

land in DeBeque and Collbran. Irrigating and building fence were his favorite things to do on the ranch. After

selling the ranch in 1987, Carlos purchased a peach orchard in Palisade, CO. The orchard produced and he

sold peaches for seven years. He then irrigated for a neighbor until his retirement at the age of 80..

During his retirement, Carlos found time to travel with Winnie and Eddie, having many adventures. They

also enjoyed visiting special places; Laughlin, NV, Cripple Creek, CO and Parker, AZ, just to name a few

with a lifelong friend, Dolores Wheeler.

Besides being a rancher, Carlos had other interests; president of Big Creek Cattle Growers, member of Blue

Stone River Management District, DeBeque School Board member and president, Mesa County Soil

Conservationist, livestock appraiser for Palisade National Bank, lifetime member of Bluestone Conservancy

District and the purchasing and raising feedlot cattle.

Carlos was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, daughter Gwen and son Eddie. He is survived by his

wife, Winnie of 74 years of marriage, daughters, Carla (Jim) Rudnick, Connie Black, a granddaughter

Jessicca (Rich) Marks, grandsons Erik and Jedidiah Gabbett and Jesse Rudnick, two great-granddaughters

Mikaila Gabbett and Sarah Marks.

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to dad’s Plateau Valley Hope West team. Their

professionalism, care and compassion helped to make Carlos’s life a better one. The family also want to

recognize and thank two independent caregivers (Penny Magana and Tami Sandidge) for their care,

expertise and loyalty.

A celebration of life graveside service will be held at the De Beque Cemetery in De Beque, CO on Saturday,

July 29th at 9:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Carlos’s name can be made to Plateau Hope West Hospice

Care.