Byron Carpenter

The services celebrating and honoring the life of Byron Forest Carpenter, Age 98, of Lake Winnebago, Missouri, formerly of Enid, will be held 10:00 A.M. Tuesday April 19, 2022, in the Brown-Cummings Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Enid Cemetery under the direction of Brown-Cummings Funeral Home.

Byron Forest Carpenter died April 12th, 2022, at the home of his daughter and son-in-law. He was born July 2nd, 1923, in Donaphin County, Kansas.  The youngest of James Fredrick and Lucile (Case) Carpenter’s five children.

Byron grew up along the Missouri River and told of the adventures he had with his brothers.  As a young man he loved to partake in adventures, but quickly learned the importance of education.  He attended high school in Webster, Kansas where he graduated Valedictorian and met his wife, Twila Buss.  They married August 11th,1942, and celebrated over 72 years of marriage until her passing December 11th, 2014.

Byron received his normal training certificate and taught school for one year in a one-room schoolhouse, however, his heart was pulled towards farming.  He and Twila successfully operated their farm for 66 years.  Byron planted his last wheat crop at the age of 85.  After retiring they moved to Enid, Oklahoma.  From there, he moved to the Kansas City area and lived the last of his life with his daughter and son-in-law at their lake home.  Byron enjoyed the last years of his life fishing and gardening with his great grandchildren, grandchildren and his fishing buddy and favorite son-in-law, Jim.

Byron's Christian faith was always at the forefront of his life.  He studied and practiced his faith fervently and loved to engage in meaningful conversations to gain a deeper understanding of his religion throughout the course of his life.

Throughout the course of their lives, Byron and Twila enjoyed traveling.  They relished in sharing their travel experiences and education with their children.  They had three adopted children, Bruce, Lynn, and Dale that were the most important part of their lives.  Byron was very active in 4-H, Extension work, and the Federal Land Bank.  He was extensively involved in Rural Electric in Northwest and Central Kansas where he served on the Norton Decatur Rural Electric Board for 43 years holding multiple offices.  He was also on the state Sunflower Electric Board for 20 years and the National Rural and Electric Board for 10 years. Under the Nixon Administration Byron served on the board with the esteemed Secretary of Agriculture.

Byron is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Lynn and James Wagner of Lake Winnebago, Missouri and son Dale Carpenter and Julie Carpenter of Enid, Oklahoma.  He is also survived by his grandchildren and great grandchildren: Dr. Jamie Wagner-Berbel and husband Dr. German Berbel and sons Gabriel and Jordi of Overland Park, Kansas.  Nolyn Wagner and wife Dr. Ásdís Finnsdóttir-Wagner and daughters Sólveig Lóa and Bryndís Magnea of Overland Park, Kansas. Shannon and husband Vladimir Roganovic and daughters Mihaela and Sofija of Overland Park, Kansas.  Bailee Webster, Kaleb Webster and daughter Hadlee of Enid, Oklahoma. Shelby Carpenter and Chance Carpenter of the home, Enid, Oklahoma.  One brother-in-law DeVane Cunningham of Stockton, Kansas and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Twila Buss Carpenter, son Bruce Carpenter; his parents James Fredrick and Lucile (Case) Carpenter, parents-in-law Earl and Opal (McComb) Buss; his brothers and spouses: Jim and Ida Carpenter, Frank and Alberta Carpenter, Fred and Leta Carpenter and his sister Margaret Badt as well as several nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made in his honor to the Kansas City Hospice with Brown-Cummings Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.

Condolences and special memories may be shared with the family online at WWW.Brown-Cummings.com .