Xavier Glen Carpenter, a beloved son, brother, and friend, passed away on July 15, 2024. The only son born to April Carpenter on April 6, 2006, in Manhattan, Kansas. Xavier’s life was a whirlwind of football, working, and being goofy with the people he loved.
Xavier grew up in Junction City. From a young age, he enjoyed playing sports wither with the school or special teams outside the school sports. He played football, basketball, and baseball; always a team player and a supportive player to his teammates. In 5th grade he had the lead role as “Cat” in Cat-In-The-Hat with his school musical. He spent his free time down at the 12th Street Community Center, the YMCA, playing video games, and attending church. Xavier was baptized and later accepted Christ. With the church he won awards for scripture quizzing, he enjoyed the theatrical positions he held in the holiday plays, and was overjoyed when his church sports team won first place in the KSExtreme football and basketball events. Xavier kept family, friends, and those around him in stitches with his goofiness. Although a few times his activities might have caught a sideways glance or two, Xavier always brought a smile to the people around him.
Xavier and his family moved to Virginia in 2020. He attended L.C. Bird High School in Chesterfield, Virginia, where he was a member of the football team from 2020 to 2024, served as a team captain and received an award for top Metro Defense player. His team called him Kansas. Unfortunately, during his senior year, Xavier faced an ACL, and meniscus tears, preventing him from playing his final season but he was with the team and even a Captain though he could not play, he was always there for his team. Despite his medical setback, Xavier’s leadership showed even more during this challenging time. He was an exceptional player on both sides of the ball, a great friend to all he met, he even continued gathering youth in the local area to help teach them sports. Xavier had constantly respected coaches, teachers, parents, and adults. He became an “804” boy at heart.
Xavier was heading back to Kansas from Virginia to attend Highland Community College in Highland, Kansas when he lost his life. He had worked his way back to being able to return to the gridiron and was determined to overcome the obstacles that had once counted him out. The road to recovery and his dream was hard and painful, but he made it happen for himself. Xavier decided to major in sports science as he wanted a related field that would keep him connected to football, ensuring he would have a career path in the sport he loved if playing football didn’t work out.
Over the years, Xavier went by many names: Xavier, Zay, Xae, XMan, X, Kansas and more recently, Deuce (from his game shirt number). Regardless of what you called him, knowing Xavier meant loving him. Though he claimed to not have many friends and liked to keep to himself, it is now abundantly clear that whether he was being humble or genuinely unaware, he had countless friends and people who considered him family. He was never alone. Fun and goofy yet calm and quiet, Xavier was truly one of a kind.
Xavier was preceded in death by his brother, Trashun Lewis, maternal great grandfather, Ronald Osterman, and his uncle Jackie Ball.
Xavier is survived by and deeply missed by his loving mother April Carpenter, father Jared Carpenter and biological father Tyrone Atkins-Bingley; siblings Na’Tayah Carpenter of Chester, Virginia, Jerriona Barfield, Javonna Barfield, Latrice Johnson, Kaladen Turner, and DaeJuan Rhodes of Winfield, Louisiana, Tamiya Turner of Houston, Texas, and many other newfound siblings; maternal great grandmother Patricia Osterman and maternal grandmother Tina Bailey (Osterman) of Junction City, Kansas, paternal grandparents Deionne and Johnny Carpenter of Winfield, Louisiana; aunts and uncles Shontay Mikula of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Dieonna Carpenter of Winfield, Louisiana, Laron and LaKeshia Carpenter of Terrell, Texas and James “Tony” Jones of Dodson, Louisiana, plus an abundance of other family members who loved him dearly.
Xavier’s legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew him. His life, though short, was a testament to the impact one individual can have on their community and the world. Rest in peace, dear Xavier. Your memory will forever be a source of inspiration and joy to all who know you. As we bid farewell to this remarkable young man, let us carry forward the light he brought into our lives.
The family wants to thank everyone for their generous time, resources, and monetary donations. Any funds that exceed the amount needed for the funeral, travel, and related expenses will be used to establish a scholarship in Xavier’s name. Students from Junction City High School and L.C. Bird that want to further their education (college, trade school, etc.) should look for this opportunity. Xavier often said, people will remember his name, and his mother and sister truly believe that a scholarship will be the best way to honor his legacy for years to come.
Memorial Contributions:
The family kindly requests memorial contributions be given to establish scholarships for Junction City High School and L.C. Bird High School seniors to help youth obtain their goals and to honor Xavier by helping others. April Carpenter can be reached at [email protected] for details where funds can be sent for the established scholarship.
--Candlelight and Balloon Release will be held Friday, July 19 at Simpler Football Field, 900 East Eisenhower Drive in Junction City
--Celebration of Life: service will be Saturday, July 20, 4:00 p.m. at the Junction City, Municipal Building
--Celebration of Life with Candlelight and Balloon Release will be held Saturday, July 27 at 6 p.m. at theTomahawk Ruritan Club Field, 4101 North Bailey Bridge Road in Midlothian, Virginia