John Everett Carpenter, 86, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend died on July 19, 2025 after a fall at home.
John, better known as Carp, lived in Milwaukee, WI most of his life, apart from his time attending Yale University, class of 1960. After graduating, Carp and his wife, Julie, lived on the east coast while working in the foundry industry and settled in Milwaukee and joined the family business, Carpenter Brothers, in 1963. Carp successfully ran Carpenter Brothers from 1979 until his retirement in 2022. He was a member of the American Foundry Society and in 1996 received a national award, The Service Citation, for his service to the industry. He was also a member of Cope and Drag, technical foundry suppliers leaders groups, and he was a local and national leader in the foundry industry. Carp kept bees for 50 years and taught family, friends, and school groups about bees and their importance. He was an amateur astronomer and was always curious about science and technology. Carp was known for his sharp mind and wit, always joking with friends and family, one of his favorite pastimes. Carp loved hiking with Julie, especially in the mountains of Arizona and in Door County, WI. Carp will be remembered as a fun and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend and will be greatly missed.
John is survived by his wife Julie Carpenter, son Andrew (Kate), daughter Katherine (Nick), grandchildren Anna (Paul), Daniel, Margaret (Jesse), Lindsay, and Julie, and his great-granddaughter Elizabeth, the apple of his eye. There will be a small, private gathering for family.