John Calvin Carper, Jr.

John Calvin Carper, Jr., passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours of May 1, 2019, with his wife, Pat, and his service dogs, Dani and Joe at his side. We miss John terribly but have no doubt he’s safely in heaven, catching up with all the friends and loved ones who have gone before him. Those of us left behind take comfort in the knowledge that we will all be together again someday. John was born in 1951 in Charleston, West Virginia, to John Calvin Carper, Sr. and Betty Beth Carper. Being an Air Force brat, he traveled the world with his family. After high school, John enlisted in the Air Force and trained as an x-ray technologist. He spent one tour of duty in England and then returned home to Florida and went to work at Navarre Exxon. That’s where he met Pat Carty. On September 30, 1975, Pat asked John out on a date and on December 2, 1975, John asked Pat be his wife. They were married on August 3, 1977. John worked as an x-ray tech at Sacred Heart Hospital from January of 1976 until October of 2009. He began his career at Sacred Heart in Pensacola and was working at Sacred Heart on the Emerald Coast when he retired. Pat and John loved the mountains and the deserts. They traveled extensively with their 3 children, Samantha, Ben, and Stephen. John was a big kid at heart so, not surprisingly, the family’s frequent trips to Disney World were his among his favorites. Christmas was John’s favorite holiday. Although John looked like Santa year round, at Christmastime, he was Santa. He particularly loved being Santa for children and adults with developmental disabilities. John is survived by his wife Pat, and their children, Samantha and her husband Eric; Ben; and Stephen and his wife Audrie; six grandchildren; his sister, Mary Beth Jenkins and her husband Bill; his brother Ted, and his wife Heli; and his father-in-law, Don Carty, brother-in-law, Chuck and his wife Emily, and his sister-in-law, Nancy. Nieces, nephews, and countless friends make up the rest of his extended family. His mom Betty Beth Carper and dad, John Calvin Carper, Sr.; mother-in-law, Dorthea Carty, brother-in-law, Howard Hartjen; and dear friend, Forrest Fulton were there in heaven to greet John when he arrived. A celebration of John’s life, led by Pat & John’s dear friend, Deacon, Victor Smith, will take place at Faith Chapel South, 100 Beverly Parkway, Pensacola, Florida 32505 on Wednesday, May 8, 2019. Friends are invited to visit with the family starting at 10:30 a.m.and join us for the service that will begin at 11:30 a.m. A Grave side service at Barrancas National Cemetery will begin at 1:00 p.m.

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John Calvin Carper, Jr.

July 9, 1951 - May 1, 2019