Heart of America Chapter Studebaker Drivers Club

Kansas City, Missouri

Jim Carpenter 1932 - 2021 Lifelong farmer, U.S. Army veteran, athlete and sports fan James Virgil Carpenter of Greenwood, Mo., passed away Aug. 6, 2021. Mr. Carpenter, 89, was born May 2, 1932, in Lee’s Summit, to William G. Carpenter and Lena (Long) Carpenter. He graduated from Lee’s Summit High School and then Graceland College, a junior college in Lamoni, Iowa. He earned an agriculture degree from South Dakota State University (SDSU) in Brookings, S.D. In college, he ran track and played basketball and football, and retained a fondness for both Graceland and SDSU throughout his life. He married Jane (Goode) Carpenter on June 25, 1958, at First Baptist Church in Princeton, W.Va. She preceded him in death Sept. 17, 2019. Mr. Carpenter grew up on a dairy farm in Greenwood and worked with mules as a boy and young man. He returned to operate the dairy following college and military service and resided there the rest of his life. He served as an officer in the U.S. Army’s quartermaster corps and served as a member of the U.S. Army Reserve for more than three decades. During his life, he worked on the farm raising Holstein dairy cattle and an assortment of beef cattle. He had an affinity for the Galloway breed from Scotland. He also worked as a supervisor at the Wagner Electric brake manufacturing plant in Kansas City, Mo., was employed at the Pfizer animal health plant in Lee’s Summit and was in the steelworker union at a tower-building company. Earlier in his life, he hung U.S. mail pouches in Greenwood that were grabbed by passing trains and he gathered and delivered pouches thrown from cabooses. In deep snow, he’d rely on a Model T Ford to get the job done. He was a lifelong active member of the Lee’s Summit First Christian Church, where he taught Sunday school for a number of years. He served on the Greenwood City Council and the Greenwood Zoning Board, while also helping with 4-H and FFA. He was active for decades in the Heart of America Studebaker Club, played competitive softball into his mid-70s and was loyal to the Kansas City Athletics and Royals. He was part of the Lee’s Summit Historical Society and was a repository of general history about Greenwood. He delighted in sharing stories of bizarre and amusing events about his hometown. For many years, he voluntarily assembled a weekly column for the Lee’s Summit Journal that served to remind folks of historic events in the area. He was an avid stamp collector, read widely, if eccentrically, with a special interest in geography, history and railroads. He appreciated Minneapolis Moline tractors, whether they functioned or not. He helped take care of the Greenwood Cemetery and was a longstanding member of the cemetery board. Survivors include his sister, Annette Howk of St. Joseph, Mo.; four children and their partners, Stephen Carpenter and Christine Baeumler of St. Paul, Minn.; Tim Carpenter and Jill Hummels, of Lawrence, Kan.; Carolyn and Chris Stanley, of Bloomington, Minn.; and Susan Zinkl and Bruce Stene, of St. Paul; and four grandchildren, Haley and Tess Carpenter, of Lawrence; and Lena and Sam Zinkl, of St. Paul. 

  Meetings are generally held the third Sunday of every month.  If there is a special event, this will sometimes change.

  To belong to this Chapter, you  MUST  belong to the National Studebaker Drivers Club.  This is mandated by the National Studebaker Drivers Club.

  The dues are $20.00 per year due January 1st.

  If you are interested in learning more about this Club, please contact any of the officers listed below.  You can also print out the Membership Application below and mail it in.

• President - Joe Huffman, 7812 North Liberty Street, Kansas City, MO 64118 - littleperson@mac.com
• Vice President - Randy Meek, 7516 Lake Road, Platte Woods, MO 64151 - 816-741-0579 - jrandymeek@att.net
• Secretary - Jim Nelson, 11004 North Kenwood, Kansas City, MO 64155 lheadscotsman@gmail.com
• Treasurer - Alan Olas, 805 S E Douglas St, Lee's Summit, MO 64063
• popnmimi66@gmail.com
• Newsletter Editor & Membership Secretary - Betty Dornhoffer, 7818 North Main St, Kansas City, MO 64118 - 816-436-6827 ldornhoffer@kc.rr.com
• Webmaster - Diane Crooks, 4508 Rock Springs Rd, St. Joseph, MO 64505 
• 816-233-5546 - dcrooks45@aol.com

HEART OF AMERICA CHAPTER MEETINGS

DURING THE WINTER MONTHS WITH INCLEMENT WEATHER PENDING, PLEASE CALL THE HOSTS TO SEE IF THEY ARE STILL PLANNING ON HOSTING THE MEETING!

August 20, 2022 - This is a Saturday event.  We will cruise to Johnny Ray's Drive Inn in Lee's Summit, Mo. then to the home of Alan and Rosemary Olas for ice cream.

September 10 - 11, 2022 - The orphan Car Show in Branson, MO.  Click on the blue words below for the Registration Form.

October 2, 2022 - The Lawrence Region AACA Antique and Classic Car Show in Lawrence, KS

October 22, 2022 - This will be a Saturday event.  We will plan a Fall Driving Tour and visit some sights in St Joseph, MO

November 20, 2022 - This will be a business meeting held in Platte Woods, MO at the Imeson House.

December, 2022 - Our annual Christmas dinner.  We will determine the date and place at a later time.

© 2015, All Rights Reserved.