Retired US Army Sergeant Major Clifford Paxton Carpenter, 81, of Fayetteville, passed on Sunday, January 11, 2015.

SGM Carpenter serviced in the US Army for 27 years, many in the 1st, 3rd and 5th Special Forces Groups. SGM Carpenter served in two combat tours in the Vietnam War where he received the Bronze Star with 2/OLC. He was a long term member of the 118 Special Forces Association and Retired NCO Association. After retiring from the Army, Clifford worked for J.E. Wilson in the Billboard industry. His hobbies were deep-sea fishing, reading, NASCAR, football and his beloved family.

The family will receive friends Friday, January 16, from 12-1:30pm. at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, January 16, 2015 at 1:30pm at Jernigan-Warren Chapel, with the Rev. Matthew Seals officiating. Burial will follow at Lafayette Memorial Park West on Raeford Road

He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd L. Carpenter and Ardell Mathis Carpenter; one son

Surviving is his wife of 46 years, Joyce Hope Cook Carpenter; his daughters, Luckie Kim Carpenter of Fayetteville, Jennifer N. Carpenter of Johnston County; sons, Charlie T. Carpenter and wife Leslie of Four Oaks, James Carpenter and wife Jamie of Dallas, TX, sisters, Kathleen Rogers, Lois Carpenter and Jean Long, all of Robbinsville, NC and four grandchildren.