Ervin Carpenter update

Ervin Carpenter has been hospitalized this week at Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill, S.C.Dub and I got to spend some timewithhim on Sunday. He is struggling with ongoing heart complications and the lasting effects of a recent stroke. He is very weak and on assisted breathing.

Dub just called me a few minutes ago and Ervin has been moved to Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House on India Hook Road in Rock Hill, S.C. I hope all his friends and fans here on Racers Reunion will take a second to think of him and his family. Ervin had a career in racing that anyone would envy. He has raced everything from 80 h.p. flathead coupes on dirt bullrings to tractor trailers on huge asphalt tracks. I have the honor of displaying his memorabilia in my little shop, "museum"for his family.He and therest of the Carpentersare kind enough have his trophies photos,uniforms and helmets here for all to see. My favorite piece is a picture of him in the beautiful orange number 75. He gave me thatphoto and signedit "To Charles, my friend for over 50 years" Means the world to me to be able to share inthe stories that my racing buddies tell and that are still a big part of their lives. I was very glad to have Ervin spend some time with us at my cruise in in October. He got to see a lot of his old buddies, seemed to have a good time.

Keep Brenda,Mark,Paul, Jamie and the rest of the family in your prayers as they go through this rough time. I will keep everybody updated as I get information.Charles Craig

Charles, My prayers and thoughts go out to you and Ervin's family. It is a wonderful thing to have a great friend for that long.

Thinking of your friend and his family.

Ervin's grandson Jamie just called me and Ervin passed away this morning at 11:44. I will let the Reunion members know as soon as arrangements are complete. Remember all his friends and family in the coming days. Charles

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family. R.I.P. Ervin.

R.I.P., Ervin. Thoughts and prayers to family and friends.

Sad to hear this news today...

My thoughts are with hisfamily and friends.

R.I.P Ervin

Thoughts and Prayers go out to his family. Ervin raced everything on wheels and drove the snot out of all of them. R.I.P. Mr. Carpenter, you were a wheel man for sure.

Thoughts and prayers go for friends and family. Thanks Charles for the posting.

Charles so sorry for lost of your friend.my prayer and thoughs to his family and friends at this time.ervin RIP.

thoughts and prayers to the carpenter family and freinds

I was unfortunate not to have met this gentleman that lived in my home town. My condolences to you and his friends and family.

Dargan Watts has the photo below posted on his home page:

Ervin Carpenter (C) is flanked by James Sears (L) and Dub Simpson (R) before an early 70s race at Starlite in Monroe, NC. Gator Collection

The late Bloys Britt, longtime Associated Press auto racing writer, wrote a very nice story about Ervin Carpenter in 1967 that ran on the national Associated Press wire. That story can be accessed at the link below:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dcY_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=7lcMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4224,2733948&dq=ervin+carpenter&hl=en

So sad to hear of the passing of Ervin Carpenter. Prayers for his family and friends.