Ronald Keith Carpenter, formerly of Chester, passed peacefully, in the presence of his loving family, at his home in Fort Washington, MD, on Thursday evening, January 28, 2021. 83 years old, Keith was born in East Liverpool on January 20, 1938, a son of the late William Warden Carpenter and Fanny Lenore Buchanan Carpenter.
Raised in Chester, he was a member of the 1955 graduating class of Chester High School. After graduation, Keith served our great country with the US Air Force where he was a member of the Strategic Air Command. Following his service to our country, he joined the US Department of Navy as a civilian photographer for the Office of Naval Intelligence. A lifelong supporter of Scouting, Keith received his Eagle Scout Badge in Chester and served as a Scout Master in Maryland for more than 20 years. A masterful piano player who could play any tune that he heard by ear, and he recently was a huge fan of Ballroom Dancing. Also, Keith was a faithful member of the Oxon Hill Church of Christ where he served as a song leader.
In 1959, Keith joined a lifelong union with his wife, Arvella Rinker Carpenter who survives at home. Together they had two sons, John (Joanna) Carpenter of Elkridge, MD, and Paul (Michelle) Carpenter of Viera, FL. His surviving siblings include Linda DeShon of Nashville, Tennessee, Jeanie (David) Gargano of East Liverpool, Gary (Dinah) Carpenter of Chester, and Dave (Quy) Carpenter of Satellite Beach, FL. In addition, five grandchildren, Allison, Peter, Hannah, Emma, and Mac Carpenter also survive.
Private graveside services were held on Thursday, February 4, 2021, at the Locust Hill Cemetery in Chester, where the US Air Force Honor Guard and the Chester American Legion Post 121, and VFW Post 6450 Honor Guard accorded full Military Honors. Assistance was provided by the Arner Funeral Chapel in Chester. You may view this memorial and offer condolences at www.arnerfuneralchapel.com.