Remembering Charles ‘Buddy’ William Carpenter III, Lifelong Outdoorsman of Trinity County

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Charles “Buddy” William Carpenter III
July 19, 1950 – September 7, 2025

Charles William Carpenter III “Buddy” crossed over peacefully at his home in Big Flat, CA on September 7, 2025. Buddy was born July 19, 1950 at St Joseph’s Hospital in Eureka. He was the son of Charles “Charlie” and Gladys Carpenter of Burnt Ranch. He was called Buddy after his grandfather, Charles William “Bud” Carpenter, A Trinity County Deputy Sherriff who lost his life in the line of duty in 1928 on his 40th birthday. He was a proud member of the Nor-El-Muk band of the Wintu Nation. He was a descendant of the Vaughns of Hayfork, the Trimbles of Big Bar, the Irvings of Denny, and the Carpenters of Burnt Ranch.

You always knew when the fish were biting if you saw a grey Nissan parked alongside the Trinity River. Or when you’d pull into the store and his pickup was parked out front, you’d see everyone leaning over seeing what he caught that morning. You could never tell which was bigger, the size of his fish or his smile he had when he was holding out his catch of the day. Fishing was not only a sport to Buddy, but a passion. As he loved catching fish himself, he also had the heart for teaching and including his friends and family. From filling up seats in his drift boat to handing over his pole to the youth, he loved every part of it.

During hunting seasons, you could only find him in the woods. (Look for the Nissan) Tracking, calling, and harvesting all things Trinity County had to offer. From birds to bucks, he filled his freezer with them. He’d even mark his calls with “kill marks” scratched on them, so he’d never forget. If you pulled up to his house and there was smoke coming out of the smokehouse, you knew you came on a good day. And if you were really lucky, he would sneak you a piece of his smoked fish or jerky before he’d seal them up.

Buddy was a dedicated sports fan. During football season the Niners game was on and during baseball season the Giants game was on. If either game were to be played and he had to leave the house, the game was on the radio in the pickup. During the summers, you’d always catch him with his Crabs hat, tie dye shirt, and cowbell in hand, on his way to the coast for a Sunday game to watch the Crabs baseball team. His love for baseball pushed him to travel all the way to Cooperstown, New York. There he visited the Baseball Hall of Fame and enjoyed every moment. While over on the east coast he also threw a line in and caught fish in the Atlantic Ocean. He even caught and ate a “Lobstah” in Maine. But his most favorite team to root for was his children. Dedicating his time coaching, volunteering, snack shack rotations, driving to away games and practices, and buying equipment. All were an easy choice because he was their biggest fan.

In the later years, if you needed to find Buddy, you could always go into the TAP for your morning coffee and find him there, looking out onto the Trinity River. You could always rely on him to give you a friendly smile and great conversation to start your day. (Or stare at a beard you wish you had)

Buddy was also a dedicated gardener, he loved being connected to the land. Spending a lifetime of seasons growing and harvesting all things that grew. Sharing his fresh fruit and vegetables with his family, friends, and neighbors. Earning multiple ribbons at the Trinity County Fair for his cantaloupe, Crenshaw melons, Anaheim peppers, Beefsteak tomatoes, and others. His sunflowers and honeydew earned him first place blue ribbons.

Buddy lived most of his life in Trinity County and spent some time in Mendicino, Humboldt, and Shasta County. In 1963, the family moved back to Trinity and lived in both Big Bar and Helena. In 1964, the family moved to Eureka. Buddy graduated Eureka High in 1968. He then later graduated from Shasta College. Buddy was an outstanding outdoorsman, which reflected on his career choices. He was a fishing guide, a timber faller, a roofer, and he also worked for the Watershed Center.

He was proceeded in the death by his father Charles William Carpenter “Charlie” (1956) his mother and step father, Gladys and Robert Buese. His brother Gerald and Thomas Carpenter, and his sister Mina Carpenter. He leaves his children Katey Schmidt (Carpenter) of Fortuna, Lacy Duncan-Laman of Burnt Ranch, and Bailey Carpenter of Happy Valley; his four grandchildren Keira Lockhart (Porter) of Eureka, Jacoby Porter of Eureka, Dylan Porter of Fortuna, and Ella Porter of Fortuna; great granddaughter Kassidy Lockhart of Eureka, great grandson Bjorn Porter of Eureka. He leaves his brother Daniel of Arkansas and sister Nina of Eureka. He also leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins, and a loving community of friends.

We will have a celebration of life after rifle season.

Buddy was the fisherman everyone strived to be. We can all agree he is up there smiling with his rod bent, his lined pulled tight, saying “It’s a big one! Get the net!”