Thomas Sanders Carpenter, CPCU

April 17, 2025

Thomas Sanders Carpenter, CPCU, a retired insurance executive, died April 17,2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the age of 94. He was the son of the late Thomas S. Carpenter Jr. and Hope D. Carpenter of Crescent City, Florida. After both of his parents died separately in the 1930s, Tom and his siblings, Jane and Bill, were raised by their aunt and uncle, Dorothy C. and Henry S. Beers of West Hartford and Glastonbury, Connecticut. The three Beers children, Hank, Liz and Jack, welcomed their Carpenter cousins into their home and they all lived together for their formative years. All of the children were treated and loved equally and given the same opportunities in life.
 
Tom attended the Junior School as a youngster, followed by the Kingswood School, Loomis Institute (now Loomis Chaffee), Hamilton College, Infantry Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia and the Medical Field Service School at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and completed numerous advanced management courses. It was during his tour of duty as a young Army officer in a stateside assignment during the Korean War that he first experienced the joys and challenges of leadership.
 
One of the happiest events of Tom’s life was his 1954 marriage to Anne Elizabeth Pease of West Hartford. He joined Aetna Life and Affiliated Companies (now Aetna Inc.) after his military service and he and Anne lived in Atlanta before moving to Charlotte in 1957. They found the perfect place to live and raise a family. Tom and Anne thoroughly enjoyed watching the football games, basketball games, track meets, baseball games and horse shows in which their children competed. 
 
Tom held a number of increasingly responsible positions within Aetna before assuming the position of general manager of the Charlotte Field Office in 1968. With a group of young associates, Tom transformed an average property and casualty insurance operation into one of Aetna’s largest and most influential field organizations. He was relentless in his desire to build a better business and hire the best and most ambitious young men and women, and he followed their careers for his entire life.
 
Tom headed most of the property and casualty insurance organizations in the Carolinas over the course of his career, including serving as chairman of the Governing Committees of the North Carolina Rate Bureau and the North Carolina Reinsurance Facility. He also received numerous honors and awards, but his favorites were the Lifetime Achievement Award, presented in 2002 by the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina, and the 1974 National Industrial Softball Championship, won by Aetna’s Charlotte office team that he managed at the end of his playing career. He was thrilled when the National Society of Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters established the Thomas S. Carpenter CPCU Leadership Award, which recognizes insurance professionals for their commitment to leadership and insurance education. Tom founded the Central Carolinas CPCU Chapter in 1962 and over the years had encouraged more than 100 employees, independent agents and competitors to professionalize their careers by earning the coveted CPCU designation. Away from his desk, he thrived on the competition and fellowship at Quail Hollow Club, where he was a member for nearly 60 years. 
 
In late 1988, Tom accepted an assignment to move back to Connecticut to upgrade and revitalize Aetna’s property and casualty domestic field organization. He and Anne were excited to return to West Hartford to renew old friendships and live in a neighborhood near where they both lived as youngsters. As part of that assignment, he traveled extensively throughout the U.S., speaking to insurance groups across the country on issues affecting the insurance industry and the public. After retiring from Aetna in 1993, he accepted a two-year assignment with the American International Group to expand its distribution system and move into new markets. Unfortunately, Anne died of breast cancer in 1996 and Tom retired permanently a few months later.
 
After a courtship of several years, Tom found happiness again and in 2003 married the lovely Gretchen Marsh Johnston, whom he loved and adored. Her children, grandchildren and friends were an important part of their life together. 
 
Tom is survived by Gretchen, who was absolutely his best friend; son Tom and his wife Beth; daughter Laura C. Tucker; son Rob and granddaughter Abigail; and his brother Bill’s widow, Patricia Carpenter. He is also survived by Gretchen’s children and grandchildren, whom he loved as if they were his own: Hunter, Jamie, Bess, Jack and Molly McLawhorn; Melinda, Calhoun, Cal and Gretchen McMeekin; Amy, Meg and Hunter Sabo; and Katherine Johnston. He will also be fondly remembered by 13 nephews, nieces and cousins.
 
A service to celebrate Tom’s life will be held Thursday, April 24 at 2 p.m. at Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte.  The family will receive friends in Oxford Hall following the service.
 
In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom’s memory can be sent to Wee Kirk Presbyterian Church, where all funds are dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged mountain children. The address is P.O. Box 702, Linville, NC 28646.
 
Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.
 

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  • John Beers

    When I was young, Tom was my favorite uncle (no offense to Bill, Hank, and the uncles on my mother's side). Technically, he was my first cousin, once removed, but try explaining that to a small child! I always looked forward to family gatherings, when I knew that he would be present, as he would make me laugh and would teach me skills like catching stacks of pennies balanced on my elbow. My condolences to Gretchen, Tom Jr, Laura, Rob, and the rest of the family. He was a wonderful man and will be much missed.
    --John, son of Jack and B.J.

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  • Criss Williams

    After forty-six years in the surety and insurance business, I have never worked for anyone I admired more than Mr. Thomas S. Carpenter. My years spent working at Aetna C&S under Mr. Carpenter's leadership were the most informative and best years of my career. Thank you, Mr. Carpenter for being such an inspiring and dedicated leader who helped shape my journey in ways I never imagined were possible. My deepest, sincerest condolences extended to the Family.

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  • Claire Talley

    Gretchen,
    My heart weeps for you. It’s very difficult to lose someone you love who has brought you joy and companionship. Just be kind to yourself I am here and would enjoy spending time wit you

    Best
    Claire

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  • James L. Britt

    Tom was my anchor throughout my insurance business career. He chose the perfect warmups when he came to Chapel Hill twice during the '68 basketball season to outline how my Aetna career would unfold. And that it did! He opened doors in South Carolina and Georgia Aetna offices after I completed my CPCU certification in '73. Tom then set up a new experience in my return to Charlotte as a new business leader with an insurance broker. Tom's continuing attention lead to my joining Johnson and Higgins and an eventual merger step into Marsh and McLennan. Tom encouraged me through 20+ years of volunteer service for the CPCU Society. This included my 2008 year as Chairman and President and Tom's ongoing advice through his retirement years. THOMAS SANDERS CARPENTER, CPCU, was the King of my career..... an experience with a closure pre-scheduled for June 30 , 2025.

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  • Melanie Hudson

    Tom was a true legend in the insurance industry. While I never worked under his leadership, our paths crossed and he was an inspiration and an early supporter of providing women with leadership opportunities. Many of them paved the way for me. To Tom and Beth especially... my deepest condolences on your loss.

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  • Becki Buzzard

    In honor of a great Leader who thrived on getting things done. He was well respected and venerated by many. Warm Hugs and love to Gretchen and all the family.

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  • Becki Buzzard

    In honor of an excellent leader, who thrived on making things happen. He will always remain close in our hearts. To Gretchen and all the family, warm thoughts and prayers are with you.
    Love and Hugs,
    Becki

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  • Colin Buzzard

    My admiration for Tom knew no boundaries. For nearly 50 years, I was guided by his friendship and counsel. In the most difficult of times, he was always there, ready to help. There are so many examples of his kindness, but one stands out.

    We moved to Charlotte from Lubbock, TX; the cost of housing was significantly different. When I mentioned we could find nothing in our price range, he asked that I stop by his office later. When I did, Peggy Parks said he was gone for the afternoon and gave me an envelope in which was a letter stating that he’d hired my wife, Becki, even though he’d never met her. He knew, of course, that he’d cemented my loyalty forever.

    For the past 25 years, we spoke nearly every week about our company, the Yankees, the stock market, the Tar Heels, grandchildren, golf, DiMaggio/Mantle, speeches he’d made, people he’d helped He was truly a best friend. There simply will never be another Tom Carpenter.

    Regretfully, because of some recent heart surgery, my cardiologist advised us to not to Charlotte at this time.

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