David M. Carpenter

Mr. David M. Carpenter, age 79, a native of College Grove, Tennessee and a resident of Brentwood, Tennessee, died Monday, December 9, 2024. He passed peacefully at home with family close by. 

Visitation with family members will be on Friday, December 13, 2024 from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. at College Grove Cemetery. Graveside services will follow at 2:00 p.m. with burial to follow in College Grove Cemetery. Friends will serve as pallbearers.

He was preceded in death by his parents David Homer Carpenter and Emogene Eudailey Carpenter, and his wife of 35 years Tanya Zahalka Carpenter. He is survived by his son Phillip David Carpenter, brother ”Bob” Robert Lee Carpenter, as well as David’s companion of 20 years Billie Anne White and her daughter Leann White.

The word ”kind“ is often spoken when people attempt to describe David Carpenter. He was a kind man who garnered the earned respect of many who knew him. He was a jack of all trades who could fix anything, often fixing things for his friends and neighbors without hesitation. A creative problem solver, he rarely found problems he couldn’t eventually figure out how to solve.

He graduated in 1963 with a class of 21 students from College Grove High School where he formed close friendships with the entire class because they all went to school together since 1st grade in many cases.

He pursued college courses in mechanical engineering and drafting at MTSU before beginning to work in the tool manufacturing industry, eventually working as a new product engineer at the COATS company, formerly Hennessy Industries. He worked there for 38 years before retiring in 2010. He held several US patents on machines and components that he designed during his time as a product engineer there. 

A quiet personality until the moment presented itself to light up the room for friends and family, he was witty with a sly smile and also a warm and caring one. He was a really good storyteller and loved to entertain people with his stories and make them laugh and smile. As a young man he was a staff Sergeant in the Army Reserve and served for 6 years as a military police officer. He was always proud of his time in the service that suited him well to hone the grit and character he was also known to have.

He enjoyed playing baseball as a boy, playing catch with his father after dinner every night, and later helped coach his son Phillip’s little league team. David enjoyed motors and all things mechanical. He loved his Cushman Eagle scooter as a boy which later he got to revisit his enthusiasm for motorcycles later in life, buying a Harley to ride with his friend and companion of 20 years Billie Ann White. They had good fun on their adventures of all kinds and travelled many roads. 

He thoroughly enjoyed family gatherings and enjoyed the company of the extended families of his wife Tanya, and his companion Billie Anne White. 

The family would like to thank his caregivers and home health nurses and therapists who provided not only care but comfort and compassion. 

Dr. Lindsey Goodman & Dr Zachary Kohutek at Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center.

Pharmacist Stephen Thompson at the Vanderbilt Pharmacy

Home Nurses Maddie and Cassie

Home Physical Therapists Graham and Kenneth 

He was loved by his neighbors and appreciated all of their support and care in his final months. 

In Lieu of Flowers, family members request memorial donations be made to the charity of your choice in memory of David M. Carpenter.