Francis Merritt Carpenter, known to many as “Carp,” passed away on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at the age of 95. He was born on June 7, 1929, in Placerville and spent his entire life in Rescue, California where his family originally settled in 1852 and where many still live today. Carp dedicated his life to the Fire Department and to preserving the history of Rescue, California.

Carp was married to Susan Joy West in 1955 and was by her side until her death in 2022. Carp’s and Joy’s wishes were to have their Celebration of Life and their burial held together. In honor of those wishes the family will be celebrating the lives of this amazing couple on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the Rescue Fire Department Station #1, located at 5221 Deer Valley Road, Rescue, California, 95672. The Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM with a reception immediately after. Following the reception, Carp’s and Joy’s remains will be interned together at Jay Hawk Cemetery, located on Deer Valley Road in Rescue, California.

For planning purposes, the family asks that you please RSVP, if possible, by no later than June 13, 2025. Call or text Bill Carpenter at 916-214-4933 or Terilyn Moore at 210-381-9382 if you plan to attend.