Don Carpenter:
CLASS OF 1970
Tempe High SchoolClass of 1970
Tempe, AZ
Arizona State University - Industrial TechnologyClass of 1974
Tempe, AZ
Arizona State University - EducationClass of 1974
Tempe, AZ
Arizona State University - Graphic DesignClass of 1974
Tempe, AZ
Don's Story
1970 Spring - Tempe High School graduation.
1970 Fall - I entered ASU's architecture program; I later changed my major.
1973 - Began part-time graphic artist job at AiResearch Manufacturing Company of Arizona. Through years of acquisitions and mergers, AiResearch became part of the Honeywell International conglomerate.
1974 - I graduated from ASU with BA in Education majoring in Graphic Arts Technology; student teaching cured me of any further pursuit of a teaching vocation; bless those of you who are in the teaching profession. I transitioned to a full-time position with AiResearch.
1976 - Camelback H.S. grad Debbie Tait agreed to marry me; we moved into a new south Phoenix townhouse.
1978 - We moved into a new Phoenix Ahwatukee housing development.
1982 - Our daughter Carissa was born.
1985 - We moved into a new home in south Tempe.
1987 - Our son Justin was born.
1997 - Lost my beloved mom to breast cancer.
Lots of life in between... most of our lives have revolved around our children, friend and family gatherings, church involvement, travel, and our home.
Both our kids attended Tempe schools - Waggoner, Kyrene Middle School and Corona del Sol H.S. I continued to follow Sam Duane's basketball teams until he retired. Our son even went to several of Sam's summer BB camps as a youngster, and Carissa played basketball through her freshman year. Both transitioned to choral music programs and musical productions.
2009 December - Our son Justin (talented vocal performer) was married. He and his wife Penny (talented educator and pianist) have given us grandchildren Logan (12), Piper (9) and Jack (6). Now they are both music educators and Justin continues to perform.
2011 March - Our daughter Carissa (marine biologist and veterinary techn...Expand for more
ician) was married to Sean Adams. Carissa and Sean have given us grandchildren Ashleigh (11), Aiden (9), Aaron (9) and Abby (6). Carissa is now a full-time mom and Sean is in the insurance business.
2011 June - lost my Dad to kidney cancer.
2011 August - I retired from Honeywell after 38 years. Debbie retired six months later from her job as a legal assistant.
2012 May - I began a post-retirement dream job guiding motorcycle tours across the western U.S. and Canada for EagleRider. I completed seven seasons ending in September 2018.
2013 May - We left our south Tempe home of 27 years and moved to a log home in Christopher Creek, AZ (22 miles east of Payson). We love the more moderate climate and slower lifestyle, and have enjoyed fixing up our mountain retreat. But we still come down to the Valley every couple of weeks to make the requisite Costco run and get our grandchild fix!
2024 November - We left our retirement dream home in Christopher Creek and began building a new home in Payson estimated to be completed in June 2025.
Today - I have continued to own and ride motorcycles since first acquiring a Honda 90 as a sophomore in high school. Aside from motorcycling, I enjoy woodworking, hiking and traveling. Debbie is quilting, volunteering at a pregnancy counseling center, and keeps us organized. We’ve celebrated 48+ married years together, and love retirement life under Arizona’s Mogollon Rim. Debbie and I enjoy long-distance touring and often vacation on two wheels. Eight motorcycles later, we've logged >600K miles in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. We have continued to remain active in our church and family life. Spending time with the grandchildren is the best.
I hope all who read this are doing well. I'd enjoy reading your story too.
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