Jerry Miller Carpenter

Jerry Miller Carpenter was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 29, 1934 in Dallas, Texas, to Tom Green Carpenter and Annie Elizabeth Miller. After the customary 1 week hospital stay, Annie Carpenter and Jerry returned home in an ambulance to be welcomed by his father, Tom, and older brother, 7 year old Thomas. Jerry grew up in Dallas surrounded by loving grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Jerry attended T.J. Terry Elementary where his 3rd grade teacher had also taught his mother. When Jerry finished 1st grade, Dallas ISD added a year to their requirements for graduation. Half of the first grade graduates went to 2nd grade and the top half were put in 3rd grade. Consequently, Jerry graduated in only 11 years. Jerry’s family were members and faithful attendees of First Assembly at Peak and Garland. After moving across the river they joined the Gospel Lighthouse church where he met Sunny Sue Rackley. They dated 3 years before marring on November 28, 1956. Jerry then graduated from Texas A&M University in May, 1957. Jerry accepted a position with Price Waterhouse Public Accountants traveling the southeast for 1 year before returning to Texas. He then moved to Houston to work for T.B. Trotter Company. Jerry was made partner with Trotter before he turned 30 years old, the youngest partner they had. Mr. Trotter had originally worked for Ernst & Ernst public accountants and after a few years the Trotter Company merged with Ernst & Ernst. After mergers and name changes Jerry eventually retired as a partner with Ernst & Young. In 2001 Jerry was honored in Austin for holding a license to practice public accounting in Texas for 50 years. A big change came in 1961 when they welcomed son, Jay and again in 1963 when daughter, Stella arrived. Another major change came in 1975 when they designed and built a house on Lake Livingston. They, their friends, their grandchildren and their friends enjoyed that party house for 40 years. Jay moved to Australia, married an Aussie and had 1 little girl, Ailee Kerimi Carpenter. He died there in 2005. Stella remained in Houston, married Steve Vaughan and has 9 children: Nelson, Stephen, Sunny, Austin, Killian, Dalton, Skylar, Dillon, and Stormy. There are now 17 great grandchildren.

Jerry Miller Carpenter

November 29, 1934 - September 3, 2026