Dan Carpenter

After a courageous battle with cancer, Daniel Clay Carpenter died on April 3, 2017 in Wheat Ridge, Colorado at the age of 67. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 45 years, AnneMarie, daughters Lisa Carpenter and Sara Carpenter (Nicholas Davis), and granddog Beast. A devoted husband and father, Dan's world revolved around Lisa and Sara from the time they were infants and into their adulthood. He was proud of their accomplishments in life, but prouder still of the intelligent and loving young women they became. In them, Dan will continue to be with us. Dan was born on August 5, 1949 in Denver, Colorado, to William and Blanche Carpenter, who predeceased him. Dan was also predeceased by older brother William Carpenter, Jr. He is survived by younger brother Steven Carpenter (Patti). He leaves behind an aunt and uncle, many cousins and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, their children, and many longtime friends. Dan's greatest joy in life was his family and friends. Every year, he and AnneMarie hosted a Christmas open house that was attended by dozens of family and friends and often ended in a rousing evening of the dice game ""Left, Right, Center,"" which Dan won for the first and only time in 2014. Dan was also known for his legendary Fourth of July parties, which involved an annual trip to Wyoming to obtain the best fireworks available to individual enthusiasts, and lasted until the local police caught on to the festivities. A proud University of Colorado at Denver alumnus, Dan enjoyed a long and successful career as an accountant, retiring several years ago as Chief Financial Officer of Capitol Life Insurance Company. He spent his adult life in Arvada, Colorado, which he affectionately referred to as ""God's Country."" He took great pride in maintaining his lawn and tending to his rose bushes and other flowers. Dan was a lifelong golfer with a standing golf game every Sunday with Heebie and friends, rain or shine (or wind or snow or freezing temperatures). One story goes that Dan and Heebie were the only two golfers left on Willis Case Golf Course after it had begun to snow. Someone from the clubhouse was sent out to bring them in so the course could close and employees could go home. Dan was a member of the North Denver Golf Club and served as its treasurer for many years. After his diagnosis in October 2015, Dan kept up his golf game and continued his treasurer responsibilities for as long as he was physically able. As a dedicated Buff Club Member and diehard fan of the University of Colorado Mighty Golden Buffaloes football team, Dan was a season ticket holder from 1972 to 2015. Prior to his diagnosis, he missed only three home games during this time. His devotion to CU inspired his daughters and several nieces and nephews to attend the college. Dan loved dogs (especially Springer Spaniels) and was particularly fond of two dogs he had over his lifetime; Spook, when he was younger, and Rufus, as an adult. Dan's life will be celebrated in a Funeral Mass on Friday, April 7, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Spirit of Christ Catholic Community Church, 7400 West 80th Avenue, in Arvada, Colorado 80003. In accordance with Dan's wishes, he was cremated and his ashes will be interred at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in a private family ceremony. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the American Cancer Society or Arvada Food Bank. Please share your memories of Dan and condolences with his family by signing the guestbook below.