Dr. Gene A. Carpenter, 70, of Lancaster, PA passed into God's loving arms at the Lancaster General Hospital Wednesday morning, December 10, 2009 surrounded by family.  Born in Cornwall Township on November 28, 1939, Gene Carpenter was the son of the late LeRoy and Virginia (Hartman) Carpenter.  He was married to Sandra J. (Thiel) Carpenter on November 21, 1959.  The Carpenters celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary this November.

A proud Veteran, Coach Carpenter served in the United States Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and Okinawa, Japan before earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Huron University (S.D.), a Masters of Administration from Adams State College, and a Doctoral degree from the University of Utah.

Coach Carpenter retired from Millersville University in 2001 after 31 years of teaching, advising, coaching and serving as the Director of Men's Athletics and Head Football Coach. He was the winningest coach in the program's history with a 212-89-6 record (220-90-6 overall as a head coach) and guided the school's most successful teams. Carpenter's 1988 gridiron squad captured the ECAC Lambert-Meadowlands Cup Championship and forty-nine of his players were named All-American. Statistically, Coach Carpenter produced twelve seasons with eight or more victories, and he posted winning records in 29 of his 32 seasons as a head football coach.

As Director of Men's Athletics, Coach Carpenter administered a strong, nine-sport intercollegiate program that made its mark on regional and national scenes.  Team and individual post-season qualifiers were a yearly norm, as was the selection of All-Americans in several sports.  Coach Carpenter led successful efforts to improve facilities and student-athlete scholarship support, and he also was active with many organizations including several committees within the NCAA, the Maxwell Football Club and the American Football Coaches Council.

He was a member of the F&AM Charles M. Howell Lodge #496.

He was a member of Calvary Church, Lancaster, PA

Coach Carpenter garnered many awards and accolades during his lifetime including the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Coach of the Year Award in 1977 and 1981; the George W. Kirchner Award presented by the Lancaster Sportswriters & Sportscasters Association for outstanding contributions to Lancaster County sports; the Lancaster-Lebanon-Berks Quarterback Club Recognition Award; and the Philadelphia City All-Star Football Association "First and Goal" Award for his work within the community as an outstanding role model.  Coach Carpenter is an Honorary Alumnus of Millersville University, a member of the Pennsylvania Central Chapter Hall of Fame, the Pennsylvania Susquehanna Chapter Hall of Fame, and the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.

In addition to his loving wife, Coach Carpenter is survived by his daughter Jodie C. Henderson and husband Bill of Millersville; daughter Julie C. Leach and husband Donald of Landisville; son Dr. Gene A. Carpenter II and wife Melody McFarland of Lancaster; son Captain Scott V. Carpenter and wife Ragen (Yeagley) of Tampa, Florida; son Major Steven P. Carpenter and wife Kaitlin (Powell) of San Marcos, Texas; brother Kenneth Carpenter and wife Betty of Lebanon; and sister Nancy Yordy and husband Henry of Lebanon.  Coach Carpenter is also survived by eight loving grandchildren:  Amanda, Nicole, Ryan, Nathan, Ella, Ezra, Kairys and Boden. Coach Carpenter is preceded in death by his brother Robert Carpenter and his grandson, Steven Paul Carpenter II.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Coach Carpenter's Funeral Service from Calvary Church 1051 Landis Valley Rd. Lancaster, PA 17601 on Monday December 14, 2009 at 2pm with Rev. David Allen officiating. A viewing will be held at the church from 11am to 1:30pm.  A social will take place following the service at the church.  Family and close friends will conduct a private interment at Fort Indian Town Gap National Cemetery on Tuesday, December 15th. In lieu of flowers, the Carpenter Family respectfully requests that donations are made to the Dr. Gene A. Carpenter Football Foundation c/o John Guilfoyle, 2437 Gamber Road, Washington Boro, PA 17582. Arrangements made by Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Chapel. 717-560-5100. To send the family online condolences please visit snyderfuneralhome.com