BURGAW — On Tuesday, August 5, 2025, Rex Kimble Carpenter, age 73, of Burgaw, North Carolina left family and many friends deeply saddened as he unexpectedly left his earthly life for his eternal rest.
If you ever heard one of Rex Carpenter’s stories, you probably wondered if it was true. (Fun trivia: most of them were!) He had a knack for turning even the smallest moment into an adventure — usually preceded by a grin that let you know something good was coming and a list of the precise steps you were going to take to help.
Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Rex lived a life that was never halfway. He served in the Marine Corps during Vietnam, spent time in the Army, and dedicated over 30 years to emergency medical services — saving lives, calming chaos, and mentoring countless others along the way. At the same time, he was coaching soccer teams, leading Boy Scout troops, fixing things that “couldn’t be fixed,” and showing up for his family, friends, and even complete strangers. If Rex cared about you, you knew it — because he would give you his time, his effort, and sometimes the shirt off his back (whether you wanted it or not).
After retiring from EMS, he wasn’t the type to slow down. He started yet another business — this time pool repair — found any excuse to take his boat out, soaked up the beach whenever he could, and cranked classic rock loud enough to annoy the neighbors. His artistic side shone brightest every Halloween. Drawing on his art background, he created professional-grade decorations from scratch, turning his yard into something so spectacular that kids and adults alike made special trips just to see it.
Above all, Rex was happiest when he was doing something for the people he loved — especially his grandson, Theodore “Teddy” Woolever. Teddy quickly became the absolute light of his life, and Rex lit up every time he was around. He made it his mission to fill that little boy’s world with joy, adventure, and stories worth telling.
Rex is survived by his wife, Tami Carpenter; his children, Mark Bussell Jr. (Whitsett, NC), Rachel Carpenter and her husband Paul Briggs (Whitsett, NC), and Kelsey Woolever and her husband Gus Woolever (Whiteman AFB); his beloved grandson, Theodore “Teddy” Woolever; his brother, Howie Carpenter and wife Nancy (Arlington, VA); and his sister, Rocky Morris and husband Riley (Columbus, GA). He also leaves behind his nieces and nephews — all of whom he loved and proudly bragged about at every opportunity — and a huge extended “family” of friends, former players, Scouts, and coworkers whose lives he touched.
A Celebration of Rex’s life will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at Quinn McGowen Funeral Home in Burgaw with the Pastor Ron Gable conducting the service, followed by visitation. Rex chose to be cremated, so this will be a time to gather, share memories, and celebrate his life rather than a traditional viewing. In true Rex fashion, please do not wear somber all-black — he was an artist who loved color, and he’d want the room to look alive, not like a raincloud.
If you have a story about Rex (and chances are, you do), bring it. That’s how he’d want to be remembered — through laughter, shared memories, and a few unbelievable-but-true tales. We’ll also have a “Leave a Memory” box at the service so Teddy can grow up surrounded by his grandpa’s stories — in your words. You can write one in advance and bring it, or fill out a card at the memory table during the service.
Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family here.
