Phillip Warren Carpenter, 81, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, passed away on April 1, 2024 due to complications from cancer. Phil was born on October 9, 1942 to John Hiram Carpenter and Ruth Edith Johnson Carpenter.

After graduating from Williamsport High School in Pennsylvania in 1960, Phil studied business at Lycoming College. He graduated from Lycoming in 1968 and enlisted in the Army Reserve. Phil then moved to Ann Arbor to join his brother, Kent Carpenter, in forming Sports Car Service. Through this successful business, Phil developed a deep appreciation for British sports cars, and he began preparing cars and racing in SCCA events throughout the Midwest. This love of cars and racing continued throughout his life. Phil and Kent sold Sports Car Service in 1971. In 1973, with their brother Jack, they opened Carpenter Brothers Hardware in the growing Northeast Ann Arbor area. Phil was the store manager as well as an owner, and the store was an overnight success. After 12 years of growth, the brothers accepted an offer to sell the store. Phil used his share of the proceeds to purchase Carpenter Lumber in Dexter, Michigan which he developed and ran until 2008. Since then, and until his death, Phil also bought and sold MG Midget cars and parts.

Phil was very successful in his road racing career. In 1972, driving an MG Midget that he personally prepared, he won the SCCA Divisional Championship, which earned him a place in the National Road Racing Championships at Road Atlanta. He finished 3rd out of 21 drivers from across the country.

His whole family benefited from Phil’s love of driving. He made many solo cross-country trips to visit his children and grandchildren in Texas and Colorado for home projects and life milestones. An involved parent and grandparent until the end of his life, Grandpa Phil will be dearly missed.

Never one to sit and be idle, Phil was known to friends and family as someone who was always ready to help with any project (big or small), bringing a spirit and sense of humor to any job to make it enjoyable. As one colleague recently said, “his dry and sardonic sense of humor and eagerness to share common experiences made for plenty of laughs along the way.”

Phil is survived by his children, Kristin Carpenter (John Supsic) of Lafayette, Colorado and Benjamin Carpenter (Katie Carpenter) of Ann Arbor; their mother and Phil’s former spouse, Kathleen Engel; and his grandchildren, Theo and Ada Supsic and Logan and Julian Carpenter. Phil was preceded in death by his brother, John Carpenter, and is survived by his brother, Kent Carpenter.

A Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date. People interested in attending should reach out to Kristin at: kristincarp@gmail.com.

Donations in Phil’s name can be made to the American Cancer Society: donate.cancer.org