Samuel Preston Carpenter, Jr.

Samuel Preston Carpenter, Jr. Retired Samuel Preston Carpenter Jr., of Lakeland died on March 22, 2012 , after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 76. A direct descendant of the first treasurer of the Province of Pennsylvania and a native of Winter Garden, Florida , Sam was born into a pioneer Central Florida citrus family. He graduated from Lakeview High School, attended the University of Florida, and went on to serve his country in the United States Army. Upon his return from military service, Sam followed in his family""s footsteps and chose the agricultural industry as his lifelong profession. He worked for a number of citrus concerns, including Sargeant Citrus Products and Juice Bowl, culminating in his private business as a fruit broker. Born into a Quaker family, he later affiliated with the Methodist Church. An avid hunter, Sam enjoyed being a member of various hunting camps over the years. Equally, he loved dogs and was a beloved master of many, Luke having been especially vigilant throughout Sam""s illness. A devoted husband , father, grandfather, brother, son, and friend, Sam is survived by his wife of 47 years , Janet Sargeant Carpenter; son, Preston Carpenter (Diane); daughter, Sloan Bentschner (Paul); grandchildren, Caroline and Logan Kebberly, Grace and Olivia Bentschner, and Elle and Shayne Cardamone ; sister, Mary Redman Carpenter; mother in law, Elizabeth Rocker-Pereira, all of Florida; brother, Benjamin Carpenter (Janice) of Mississippi; and a number of nieces and nephews. Sam was predeceased by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. Preston Carpenter, Sr., of Winter Garden; a younger brother, William Carpenter of Arizona; and an infant son, Samuel. A service will be held graveside at Lakeland Memorial Gardens on March 26, 2012 at two o""clock in the afternoon. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice 105 Arneson Avenue Auburndale, Fl 33823. Service: 03/26/2012 Lakeland Memorial Gardens