James Michael "Mike" Carpenter

James Michael Carpenter passed away on May 31st after a brief illness. He was born on October 14, 1951 in Eatonton, Georgia to Harris Deitz Carpenter, Sr. and Julia Elizabeth Carpenter who have predeceased him. A memorial service will be held at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. The Reverend Jerry Dingmore and the Reverend Roger Browher will officiate. The family will greet friends following the service. Mike spent most of his life in Macon, graduating from Lanier High School in 1969. He was a graduate of Georgia Southern University where he was a member of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. He received his Law Degree from Cumberland School of Law, Samford University. He was a member of the Macon Bar Association and the Georgia Bar Association. After serving as the Assistant Attorney for the City of Macon, he had a long and large private practice. In 2012, he received the William A. Bootle Professionalism Award Given annually to a lawyer whose conduct and interactions with clients, adversaries, courts and the public demonstrates an ongoing commitment to integrity, to ethics, and to promoting respect and collegiality in the profession of the law. Mike served on the Board of Trustees of Georgia Southern University and as President of the Alumni Association of his beloved school. He continued his activity as President of the Middle Georgia Eagle Club. In addition, he served as president of the Trojan Legion at Tattnall Square Academy for several years. He was constantly active in local affairs as a Bibb County Jaycee, and a long time coach of girls' softball at Freedom Park. Mike dearly loved his family and friends. He enjoyed fishing, and raising and racing greyhound dogs. His many friends appreciated his love of life and energy. All who knew him knew that if you needed something done or someone to do it, you just called him. He will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his loving wife, of 42 years, Rebecca. He will be deeply missed by his four daughters, Kelly (Chad) Chester, Jennifer (Tony) Boland, Sarah (Scott) Mayberry, and Hannah (Boots) Vinson. He is survived by grandchildren: Jake and Sadie Chester, Julia and Addie Boland, Lila Kate Mayberry, and Boots and Brinley Vinson; his brother, Deitz (Peggy) Carpenter, MD; his sister, Mary Beth Drinkard; nieces and nephew, Stacy Bembry, Anna Ryan Perry, Renn and Julianna Drinkard. Donations may be made to the Frank Hook Scholarship Fund Georgia Southern University Foundation P.O. Box 8053 Statesboro, Ga. 30460 or the Annual Fund at Tattnall Square Academy, 111 Trojan Trail, Macon, Georgia 31210. Register online at www.hartsmort.com. Hart's Mortuary and Crematory at the Cupola has charge of arrangements.