Michael "Mickey" Harold Carpenter
Michael Harold Carpenter, Jr. (Mickey), age 66, of Oak Park, Virginia passed away on February 19, 2024 at UVA Culpeper Medical Center. He was born in Charlottesville, Virginia on April 24,1957 and lived his entire life in Oak Park on the family farm, Glen Oak Dairy Farm. Mickey graduated Madison County High School in 1975 and then worked on his parents’ farm.
Mickey was quite known for several of his passions. He had a soft spot for his beloved animals, especially his cats and horses, and treated each pet as a family member. He was an enthusiastic fan of the football and basketball teams at MCHS, UVA basketball and Tony Bennett, the Washington Wizards, and the New York Yankees. He carried on the family tradition of loving the Yankees just like his father and grandfather, making him a third generation NYY fan. Mickey enjoyed food of all kinds. He often ate away from home and then brought a meal’s leftovers home for his cats. He was a collector of many items and loved showing his latest finds to others.
Mickey’s personal slogan was “Tough times never last, but tough people do.” After his cancer diagnosis, he had the most positive outlook and 100% believed he would beat cancer. He became a tough cancer fighter with his faith in God and often reminded people that God was good all the time.
Mickey was preceded in death by his father, Michael Harold Carpenter. He is survived by his mother, Lucille Call Carpenter of Brightwood, his sister, Joyce East of Oak Park, and his brothers, Rickey Carpenter (Debbie Pizzola) of Madison and Jerry Carpenter (Kathy) of Oak Park. He leaves behind five nieces: Laura Massey (David) of Midlothian, Katlin Carpenter of Charlottesville, Ashley Carpenter of Oak Park, Kari Carpenter (Coleman Love) of Portland, Oregon, and Mary Kate Carpenter of Charlottesville and two nephews: Justin Reid and Michael A. Carpenter, both of Oak Park. He is also survived by a great-niece, Caroline Massey, of Midlothian and his “second parents”, Tommy and Alice Ann Ford of Oak Park.
A special thanks goes to his oncologist, Dr. Pranav Patel, and his nurse, Lisa, as well as those who took care of him during chemotherapy treatments at the infusion center in Culpeper.
A celebration of Mickey’s life will begin at 10:00 AM on Saturday, February 24 at Preddy Funeral Home in Madison. A graveside burial will immediately follow the celebration at Mt. Zion Community Church in Oak Park. Lunch will be served in the church’s social hall after the burial. Honorary pallbearers will be current and former MCHS football and basketball coaches.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to The Food Pantry at MESA in Madison, Virginia. https://www.mesamadisonva.org/food-pantry
