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Lenore Sorensen Carpenter

A. Dale Carpenter, 85, died April 17, 2015 at Cherry Village Nursing Home, Great Bend. He was born August 3, 1929 at McPherson, the son of Franklin Arthur and Lena (Dalke) Carpenter. Dale married Lenore A. Sorensen October 12, 1950 at McPherson.

He was a coach, history teacher, and guidance counselor for Great Bend High School for 34 years retiring in 1993. Previously he had taught for Kinsley High School and Bentley High School. He had attained his undergraduate degree from McPherson College and his master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Emporia State Teacher’s College.

A Great Bend resident since 1959, Dale was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, where he was involved in many facets of the church, such as the scholarship committee, ushering and home visits. He was a member of KNEA, Great Bend Retired Teachers Association, Jefferson School Advisory Board, and was a food bank volunteer.

Dale was a talented athlete lettering in football, basketball, and track which led him to a career of coaching. In 2005, he was inducted into the McPherson College Athletic Hall of Fame for his exceptional track accomplishments. After retirement, he shifted focus to following the KU Jayhawks, “coaching” from his recliner as one of their biggest fans.

Throughout his life he had many interests and hobbies including hunting with buddies at the Cheyenne Bottoms, raising parakeets, and feeding wild birds. His infectious love for animals resulted in treasured memories of trips to the zoo and countless four legged family members.

Above all Dale’s greatest love in life was for his family. Being “Papa” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought him joy beyond measure. Despite declining memory and health issues, he never forgot his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Lenore. He will be forever missed by all who knew and loved him.

Survivors include his wife Lenore A. Carpenter, of the home; three daughters, Denise Simpson and husband Ken, Fayetteville, Ark.; Kim Peeler, Oklahoma City, Okla.; Laura Shoaff and husband Brian, Hays; five grandchildren, Zach Simpson and wife Stephanie, Bentonville, Ark.; Morgan Shoaff, Brooklyn, N.Y., Austen Peeler, Oklahoma City, Okla.;, Mason Peeler and fiancée Lorin Hite, Oklahoma City, Okla.; Alexa Shoaff, Hays; four great-grandchildren, Caleb Bagley, Alexandria Bagley, and Ethan Simpson, all of Bentonville, Ark.; and Landen Peeler, Oklahoma City, Okla.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Ann “Carpy” Rawson, and by a son-in-law, Robert G. Peeler.

Funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 22, 2015, at Bryant Funeral Home with the Rev. Dr. Scott V. Solether officiating. Inurnment will be at McPherson Cemetery at a later date. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at Bryant Funeral Home, with the family receiving friends from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

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