Marion “Reno” Franklin Carpenter Sr. (b. May 31, 1941) passed away March 14, 2017 at his home in Port Bolivar, Texas from pancreatic cancer. He was 75. A memorial service, conducted by Mr. John Allums, was held at the Port Bolivar Volunteer Fire Department firehouse on Loop 108 of the Bolivar Peninsula at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 18. Marion Carpenter, known to most as Reno, was born and grew up in Christopher, Illinois. He worked as a trucker and carnival ride operator, and retired in 1995 from UTMB with 32 years of service as a plumber at the UTMB Physical Plant. After retirement he maintained his plumbing license and performed repairs for customers on the Bolivar Peninsula and in Crystal Beach until 2013.
Marion is survived by his wife, Maye Elouise Carpenter, two sisters, Dimple Lynch and Jane Phillips, two daughters, Elizabeth D. Venier and Frankie S. Hanna, one son, Marion F. Carpenter Jr., and one step-daughter, Elizabeth A. Valastro. He will also be remembered by his seven grandchildren (Tina Bush, Alexi Valastro, Todd Haynes, Brittany Venier, Nicholas Venier, Joshua Hanna, and Samantha Dougherty) and eight great grandchildren.
Instead of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Port Bolivar Volunteer Fire Department or a cancer research organization of your choosing. Special thanks to Carnes Brothers Funeral Home of Galveston for assisting with the care and handling of our loved one. Special thanks to Mr. John Allums for being our miracle in these painful times. Special thanks to the Port Bolivar Volunteer Fire Department for the use of their firehouse so we could say goodbye. Special thanks to Marion “Reno” Carpenter for sharing this life with us. We love you and will always miss you very much.
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