Homer "Shorty" Louis Carpenter

Homer “Shorty” Louis Carpenter passed away on March 19, 2010 at the Boundary County Nursing Home in Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Homer "Shorty" Louis Carpenter, born November 24, 1917, had his long life come to an end shortly after midnight on March 19, 2010. His struggles to survive did not diminish until his last breath, adding to his legacy that a short Frenchman is as tough as they come. A salute to his life will be held at the Ken Carpenter property, 184 Moyie Street, Moyie Springs, at 1:30 P.M. on Sunday March 28. This informal celebration is open to all, who are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, umbrellas and Shorty stories, with food and drink optional. Many toasts to this remarkable man are expected. Shorty was not partial to stuffy funeral parlors, and had a tendency to nod off and gently snore through part of the ceremony. No disrespect, just an ingrained habit to catch 40 winks when opportunity or an overheated room presented itself. Shorty was born in Plummer, Minnesota, the 13th child of 17 siblings, of whom only sister Anna and brother Bill survive. He was raised to be a valuable member of the work force on the family farm, and this work ethic stuck with him throughout his life. He left home at 13, escaping a cruel stepdad who used religion as an excuse to brutalize his charges. The following years saw him work for a kind farm family and join the CC camps to continue building his manual labor and boxing skills. In the late 30's he relocated to the West coast, where he eventually joined the U.S. Army and served four years in the South Pacific during World War Two. He was very proud of his military service, though he did develop a hatred for monkeys while in New Guinea. Within a few years after his discharge he married Lenora Manus, his second marriage, and embarked on a career as an ironworker on a succession of hydroelectric dams around the Northwest. After many years of a nomadic life and the birth of two sons, Ken and Steve, and a daughter, Elana, Shorty chose to set down roots in Boundary County in 1957. A third son, Nathan came a few years later. He became a gyppo logger after the relocation and worked his French behind off for little monetary reward during the following 30 years or so. As usual, his work habits became legendary, a trait he passed along to his children and grandchildren. His work career finally came to an end at the age of 80, his last summer of running the Copeland Grain Elevator. After that, with nothing but time on his hands, he devoted his life and his sparkling eyes to bringing a smile to every face he encountered. At the time of his death at age 92, his black hair had very little gray in it. That should remind us all that laughter is the best medicine for fighting stress. His last few years were spent at the Extended Care Facility at the Boundary Community Hospital, and the staff loved and treated him like family, as he did them. Shorty had a life long love of baseball, dogs, kids, women and pancakes, not necessarily in that order. He will be forever missed. He is survived by immediate family Ken and Joy Carpenter, Steve and Laurie Carpenter, Elana and Richard Karl, and Nate and Jo Carpenter. His Grandchildren, lights of his life, are Derek, Heath, Sean & Heidi, Christie & Nic, Shannon & Kevin, and Erica. Great Grandchilden are Lily and Caleb. Step-grandchildren are Noah, Rachel, Nathaniel and Sarah. Sarah brought many smiles to Shorty's face the last month of his life. There are not enough pages in the paper to list all of his nieces, nephews and their offspring, but he was cherished by all who met him. In lieu of flowers the family would prefer that a donation to be made to the Extended Care Facility at the Boundary County Hospital.