Allan Lee Carpenter

March 10, 1931 - September 7, 2020

03/10/1931 - 09/07/2020

Past Services

Memorial
Saturday September 26, 2020
1:00 pm
Kempsville Christian Church
5424 Parliament Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Directions

Allan “Big Al” Carpenter, 89, transitioned to Heaven on September 7, 2020. He was born March 10, 1931, in Huntington, WV, the only child of Dr. Cecil C. Carpenter and Leola (Klopp) Carpenter.
Allan graduated from University High School, Lexington, KY in 1948. He received a B.S. Civil Engineering, Railway Option degree from the University of Illinois in 1952. He also obtained certifications in Traffic Engineering, Public Administration, and Land Surveying. In January 1951, he enlisted in the Transportation Corps, U.S. Army Reserve, and was commissioned to Captain. While working for the Southern Railway in Lexington, KY, he met and married Eudell “Dell” Jones Curtis. They moved to Norfolk, VA in 1961 where they spent 40 years together before Dell passed away in 2001.
Allan had a distinguished civilian career, consisting of engineering positions with various railroads and traffic engineering with the City of Chesapeake Virginia. He retired in 1991 as the Chief Engineer of the Norfolk & Portsmouth Beltline Railroad. He enjoyed traveling, music, playing bridge, sharing stories, and sports. He served in the church as an elder and teacher and was passionate about sharing the Gospel. He was a mentor to many and a stranger to none.
In addition to his parents and wife, Dell, he was predeceased by his stepson, F. Carl Curtis. Surviving family members are his daughter Lee (Carpenter) Achor and her husband, Mick, of Virginia Beach, VA; five grandsons, Christopher, Richard and Joshua Achor, and Trevor and Cameron Curtis; and five great grandsons.
A memorial service will be held 1:00 PM, Saturday, Sep. 26, at Kempsville Christian Church, 5424 Parliament Drive, Virginia Beach. A graveside service will be held 11:00 AM, Saturday, Oct. 3rd, at the Lexington Cemetery. Those who wish to remember Allan in a special way may make their gifts in his memory to the Railroad Evangelistic Association (REA); sending them to REA, ℅ Jim Bliss, 255 State Route 49, Cleveland, NY 13042. You may also donate online via PayPal at railhopeamerica.com.

Subscribe
Notify of
4 Condolences
Inline Feedbacks
View all condolences
Sherry Sturgill
3 years ago

Always, he was kind and loving, what a wonderful man! Whether sitting around the breakfast table or singing around the piano, he always made you feel welcome and filled his home with love, joy, peace, and lots of laughter. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Lee. Love you, Dear Friend!

Bill and Noemi Rodgers
3 years ago

Please accept our deepest and heart felt condolences to your whole family with the passing of our beloved Mr. Carpenter. Growing up as a teen in Aragona Church of Christ, Mr. Carpenter and his family were like family to us. We will forever cherish the memories of the great stories, great music, an abundance of laughter, and his love for Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, that he shared with everyone!❤️ We will dearly miss Mr. Carpenter, but we are rejoicing with him as he is now finally home with our Heavenly Father! Much love and prayers to the entire Carpenter family…Bill and Noemi

Sherry Sturgill
3 years ago

Always kind and loving, he was a wonderful man. Whether taking us on a trip, sitting around the breakfast table, or singing aroind the piano, his home was full of joy, love, and peace with lots of laughter. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Lee! Love you, Dear Friend!

Polly McClenny
3 years ago

Praise the Lord, you are now home and in the presence of the God you believed in and shared with so many people. My memory of you and Ms Del was in church. Your gentleness showed many(especially me) what a “true gentleman “ was. Thank you for you witness to others.