Harlan Emmett Carpenter, age 84, died on the 17th of January 2026 following a long illness.

Born May 7, 1941, in Collbran Colorado, he was the son of Emmett Carpenter and Vera Winifred (Puckett) Morse.

Harlan graduated from Grand Junction High School, and attended college at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

Harlan had been employed as a deputy sheriff with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office from 1984 until his retirement.

He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served a mission in New Zealand for 2 years when he was a young man.

Harlan enjoyed playing the guitar and arranging music for the guitar. He loved spending time with his family, and fishing. He was also a talented artist, and his creative imagination inspired him to write two books.

Harlan was a quiet and reserved man. He was hardworking, unwaveringly dependable, and disciplined. He shouldered his responsibilities as a husband and father with all seriousness. He was thoughtful and observant and had an authentic personality. He was deeply passionate about the things in his life he regarded as important, and he had a unique perspective on life and the world in general.

Harlan was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia (Weimer) Carpenter, His brother Gordon Alps, and his Father Emmett and Mother Vera.

Harlan is survived by his daughter, Tracy D. (Carpenter) Stephenson and son, Harland L. Carpenter. As well as 7 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Memorial Services will be on the 7th of March 2026 at 11:00 am at Browns Cremation and Funeral Services.