The auto industry was a beacon of hope to George Carpenter and his parents when he was growing up in Wayne, Mich. during the 1930s. His father worked as a farmer as well as for Ford and General Motors in an attempt to provide for the family.

The Carpenter family was divided religiously. Carpenter’s mother was a Christian and frequently took her children to church. His father however, didn’t become a Christian until Carpenter was a teenager. When carpenter was 16, he too became a Christian during a revival meeting and has made church life a priority ever since.

After graduating high-school Carpenter was drafted to serve in World War Two. His entrance exam showed eligibility to serve in the Air Force and he began the two-year process of training as a pilot. Carpenter lost several colleagues during training, and he was glad the war ended before he saw action overseas.

Carpenter is unhappy with the way contemporary society views relationships and marriage. He believes it’s important to marry soon after the relationship begins and he’s bothered by the number of divorces in the U.S. today.

“People have taken away from the sacredness of [marriage],” he said.