Cody Don Carpenter of Waldron, Arkansas went to be with his Lord and Savior, Friday, May 31, 2013 in Y-City Arkansas. On April 26, 1972, Don, Lucille and Kandis Carpenter would be allowed the privilege to add a true hero to the addition of their family and would be allowed forty-one wonderful years with him.
Cody grew up in Scott County and attended Waldron Public Schools where he would begin pee-wee football and continue all the way into high school. After graduation he would attend Arkansas Valley Vo-Tech and receive a degree in welding.
On January 28, 1995, Cody would marry the love of his life, Amie Beth Billingsley and they would have four beautiful children: Garren, Christian, Douglas and Irelynn. Cody loved his children more than life itself. He was their biggest fan and when his job would allow, he could be found cheering them on at the ball field, track or gym.
Cody?s true calling started out as a dispatcher for the Scott County Sheriff?s Office. The Lord had bigger plans and Cody went from dispatcher to deputy, chief deputy and finally Sheriff. Cody loved his job because he loved people and he was ready at any obstacle thrown at him because he knew from the time he became a Christian that the Lord was his strength.
Cody loved life but most of all he loved The Lord, his family and friends. You would always be greeted with a smile, handshake and a big hug, because that was Cody?s signature mark. He never met a stranger and each person he met whether pauper or president would be treated the same.
Cody also had a love for the great outdoors and hunting. When hunting season rolled around he would be found on the mountain.
Cody was the Sunday School teacher for Southside Baptist Church kid?s class and he was always willing to help at Vacation Bible School or any other church project.
On May 31, 2013 Scott County would never be the same. Responding to a 911 call, Cody and Arkansas Game & Fish Wildlife Officer, Joel Campora would attempt to save two individuals from flood waters that had entered their home. The Lord had plans for these two and this special night he would end their watch and call these heroes home to heaven to be with their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Cody will forever be missed by his family and friends, but you see in Christ it is not goodbye but see you later.
Cody leaves behind to cherish his memory, wife Amie Carpenter of the home, four beautiful children: Garren, Christian, Douglas and Irelynn, his parents, Don Carpenter and Lucille (Bates) Carpenter of Waldron, Arkansas, his sister Kandis VanRavensway and husband Keith and nephews, Myk, Grant and Weston VanRavensway and one great nephew, Kavan all of Waldron, Arkansas. Cody will forever be missed by two aunts: Treva Coffey and husband Ralph of Waldron, Arkansas, Robbie Hurst and Marie McLaughlin both of Ozark, Arkansas as well as two uncles: Scotty Bates of Fort Smith, Arkansas and Bo Bates of Houston, Texas. Cody is also survived by father-in-law and mother-in-law Kenneth and Terrie Billingsley of Gravelly, Arkansas, three brother-in-laws: Kenny, Mitch and Chris Billingsley. Cody will be missed by all that knew him and the many whose lives were impacted by him including a host of cousins, friends and loved ones who loved him dearly.
Cody is preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Gene and Edith Bates, paternal grandparents, Douglas and Jettie Carpenter, one uncle Tommy Bates and one aunt Jacque Mann.
Cody?s life celebration will be 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 5, 2013 at the Waldron High School Football Stadium with Brother Larry Free and Brother George McCraw officiating. Interment will follow in the Freedom Cemetery near Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory in Waldron, Arkansas.
Cody?s pallbearers will be Garren Carpenter, Douglas Carpenter, Terry Staggs, D.J. Piles, Myk VanRavensway, Tim Coffey, Gary Bates and Grant VanRavensway. Honorary pallbearers will be Scott Co. Sheriff?s Dept., Waldron Police Dept., U.S. Marshal Service, Arkansas Sheriff?s Association, Arkansas State Police, Arkansas Highway Patrol, Arkansas Game & Fish Wildlife Officers, 15th Judicial Task Force, Judicial Prosecuting Attorney, Waldron Masonic Lodge #31, Southside Baptist Church, Arkansas Forestry Commission Law Enforcement Officers and U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers.
Cody?s visitation will be Tuesday, June 4, 2013 from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been set up by the Southside Baptist Church. Please send contributions to Cody Carpenter Memorial Fund, c/o Alisha Cabe, P.O. Box 254, Waldron, AR 72958. Contributions may also be made at First National Bank or Chambers Bank in Waldron.