Howard Nelson Carpenter

Howard “Skip” Nelson Carpenter, beloved father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully at the age of 95 on July 14, 2025, in La Mesa California. Surrounded by family in his final days, Skip left this world as he lived—gracefully, humbly, and with deep love for those closest to him.

Born on Feb 2, 1930, in San Diego, California, Skip grew up with a deep appreciation for nature and a strong sense of family. He served his country honorably in the US Army before building a successful career in the power generation business as a mechanical engineer.

Skip was most at home in the great outdoors—hiking the trails in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, fishing for Trout at Convict Lake, or hitting the trails of Moab UT in a Jeep with his son. His happiest moments were spent with his family, whether it was attending Sunday barbecues, cheering on grandkids at sports events, or sharing conversations on the porch of his favorite cabin at Convict Lake.

He is survived by his children, Brett Carpenter and Christy Jones, along with 6 grandchildren, brother Robert (Bob) Carpenter, sister Mary (Tina) Jermyn, and Ex wife of 14yrs Gail Bandy.

Skip’s legacy is one of kindness, integrity, and deep connection—to his family, his friends, and the great outdoors. His steady presence and generous spirit will be dearly missed.

A celebration of Skip’s life will be communicated at a later date, where his friends and family will be invited to gather, share stories, and honor a life well lived.

“Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us every day.”