We Remember
CARPENTER, Michael “Mike” Richard
April 18, 1954 — January 1, 2023
Born in Sacramento, California on April 18, 1954, Mike Carpenter passed away on January 1, 2023, in Kelowna, British Columbia at the age of 68. He grew up in Bakersfield, California. He built his career as a leader in the mobile home industry, and was passionate and successful in business. His company Ray’s Mobile Homes ranked 378th in Inc. Magazine’s “America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies of 1982”. Later, Mike went to work in the construction industry in Kelowna. Mike earned a black belt in jiu-jitsu, volunteered with Kelowna’s search and rescue squad, and was extremely involved in the Kelowna Dragon Boat Club. His team won 1st place in the Emerald Division ‘B’ Final in 2003 during the Kelowna dragon boat festival. Mike was always learning and trying new things, activities, food, and ensuring his kids and the people around him were enjoying life to its fullest.
Mike is survived by his three children: Ray (Ami) Carpenter and their children Abigail and Caroline, of Connecticut, USA; Cody (Joni) Carpenter and their children Brennan and Ione of Arizona, USA; and Taylor (Jared) Reed and their children Ethan and Nora of Surrey, BC. Mike is also survived by his siblings Dennis, Ken, Vikki and Beth. He was predeceased by his brother Phil, mother Mary and father Ray.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kelowna Dragon Boat Club, email info@kelownadragonboatclub.com.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
I’ve missed you since the accident in2003, and I’m missing you more now. I’m glad you’re with Mom, Dad and Phil and I’ll be looking forward to the day we can all be together again. I love you big brother.
My deepest condolences
I had trained with Mike as a GSAR within Central Okanagan Search & Rescue in 2003 and was fortunate to be grouped with him on our “GSAR final exam” – a survival weekend, snowshoeing in, building a shelter and overnighting near Idabel Lake. I remember his great outdoor skills, energy and humour. I was looking forward to working with him until the accident that changed his life and took him away too soon. RIP Mike
It was an honour to have known him.
Thank you so much for sharing this story with us, Brian!