Reverend Thomas Joseph Carpender left this earth and his beloved priesthood on January 15, 2011, surrounded by those who knew and loved him.

For over 60 years, Father Carpender performed his priestly duties, even up to his last days, saying Sunday mass from a wheelchair for the Catholic residents of the assisted living home where he had lived for many years.

Thomas Joseph Carpender was born in Dubuque, Iowa on June 1, 1923, to Bert and Hazel Ryder Carpender. Both have predeceased him. He attended St. Columbkille Grade and High School, Loras College and St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, MD. He was the last living member of his 1948 Ordination Class. He served a number of years in education, and was a member of the first faculty of Wahlert High School in Dubuque. While teaching at Wahlert, he pursued and received his Masters Degree in Education from the Catholic University of America.

Over the years he pastored many parishes, the last one being Sacred Heart in Meyer, Iowa. In 1988 he retired to Tulsa, where he worked in many parishes all over the eastern part of Oklahoma. He made many friends who will sorely miss him.

Father Carpender is survived by his brother, Rev. John Carpender, of Dubuque, Iowa, and one cousin, Bernice Carpender, of St. Paul, MN.

Visitation will be Wednesday, 9 AM to 5 PM and a Prayer Vigil will be 6:30 PM, both at Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel. Funeral Mass will be 10 AM Thursday, at Church of St. Mary, 1347 E. 47th St, Tulsa, with Interment following at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Key West, Iowa.