The Smith-Carpenter Family: Mike and Pam Smith, Brian and Blake Carpenter: July 4, 2025

Editor’s Note: In the absence of formal obituaries for the Smith-Carpenter family members, The Kerr County Lead has compiled this obituary based on extensive research from multiple news sources, family statements, and community tributes to honor their memory and preserve their legacy.

It is with profound sadness that we announce the tragic loss of four beloved members of the Smith and Carpenter families who died together in the devastating floods that swept through the Texas Hill Country in the early morning hours of July 4, 2025. Mike Smith, Pam Smith, Brian Carpenter, and 3-year-old Blake Carpenter were swept away when their vacation home at Casa Bonita in Hunt, Texas, was overwhelmed by the rapidly rising waters of the Guadalupe River.

A Weekend That Should Have Been Perfect

The Smith and Carpenter families had gathered at Casa Bonita, a gated community in Hunt, Texas, for what was meant to be a joyful Fourth of July weekend together. The vacation home, located not far from the Guadalupe River, had been chosen as the perfect spot for an extended family celebration bringing together Mike and Pam Smith with their daughter Mallory Carpenter, son-in-law Brian Carpenter, and their grandchildren – 5-year-old Dalton and 3-year-old Blake.

Also present was Madeline Smith, adding to what should have been a multigenerational family gathering filled with holiday festivities, swimming, and quality time together. Instead, the weekend became an unimaginable tragedy that would forever change the lives of the survivors.

The Tragedy Unfolds

In the middle of the night on July 4, the house was overwhelmed by rapidly rising water as the Guadalupe River surged to historic heights. The family found themselves in an inescapable situation as floodwaters rushed through their vacation home with devastating speed and power.

All six family members were swept away by the torrent. In a miracle that defies explanation, Mallory Carpenter and her 5-year-old son Dalton managed to survive and make it to safety. Both suffered serious injuries requiring hospitalization, with Dalton requiring multiple surgeries. After their recovery, they faced the devastating reality that they had lost Mike, Pam, Brian, and little Blake.

Madeline Smith also survived the ordeal, though she too required multiple surgeries and ongoing medical care. The three survivors – Mallory, Dalton, and Madeline – have endured unimaginable physical trauma and the profound grief of losing their beloved family members.

Mike and Pam Smith: Devoted Parents and Grandparents

Mike and Pam Smith were loving parents to daughters Mallory and Madeline, and devoted grandparents who treasured their time with Dalton and Blake. They had looked forward to this Fourth of July weekend as an opportunity to create precious memories with their growing family.

As parents, Mike and Pam had raised two daughters with love and dedication. Their close-knit family was evident in how they continued to gather for holidays and special occasions, with the grandchildren being the absolute light of their lives.

The Texas Rangers located and identified Mike and Pam Smith on July 15, bringing some measure of closure to their grieving family members. Their loss left a devastating void in the lives of their surviving daughters and grandson.

Brian Carpenter: A Life of Service and Excellence

Brian Carpenter, 37, was a principal at Charles River Associates (CRA), where he had built an impressive career over more than a decade in the life sciences industry. Specializing in commercial strategy and customer insights within therapeutics and diagnostics, Brian advised clients across the entire product lifecycle, with a particular focus on brand and competitor strategies.

His professional expertise lay in leveraging customer insights and advanced analytics capabilities to develop meaningful and differentiating strategies across therapeutic areas. Colleagues at CRA knew Brian as someone who brought both analytical rigor and genuine care to his work in advancing healthcare solutions.

But those who knew Brian personally understood that his professional success, while significant, paled in comparison to his dedication as a husband and father. Friend and colleague Robert Broadnax, who organized a GoFundMe for the family, captured Brian’s character perfectly: “Anyone who knew Brian knows he was one of the most thoughtful, kind, and genuine people you could ever know. I’ve been fortunate to call him a close friend for the past 12+ years.”

Brian’s colleagues described him as someone who believed deeply in mentoring others and who approached every relationship with thoughtfulness and authenticity. His impact extended far beyond his professional achievements to the countless lives he touched through his kindness and generosity of spirit.

A Devoted Family Man

Above all else, Brian was a devoted husband to Mallory and a loving father to Dalton and Blake. He approached fatherhood with the same thoughtfulness and dedication that characterized everything he did. Brian and Mallory had built a beautiful life together, raising their two young children with love, patience, and joy.

The family’s close relationship with Mike and Pam Smith demonstrated the strong bonds that connected the extended family. These Fourth of July weekends had become treasured traditions, opportunities for the grandparents to spoil Dalton and Blake while Brian and Mallory enjoyed watching their children experience the magic of extended family gatherings.

Blake Carpenter: A Precious Life Cut Short

Three-year-old Blake Carpenter was the youngest victim of this tragedy, a bright and joyful little girl who had her whole life ahead of her. At just three years old, Blake was at that precious age where every day brought new discoveries and wonder. She was loved beyond measure by her parents Brian and Mallory, her big brother Dalton, and her grandparents Mike and Pam.

Blake’s short life was filled with the love and attention of a large, devoted family. She was the baby of the family, cherished and protected by everyone around her. Her presence brought joy and laughter to family gatherings, and her loss has left an indescribable void in the hearts of all who loved her.

The tragedy of losing such a young life, with all its unrealized potential and unfulfilled dreams, has been particularly devastating for the surviving family members. Blake will be remembered not for the brevity of her life, but for the immense love she brought to everyone who knew her.

The Survivors: Strength in the Face of Unimaginable Loss

The survival of Mallory, Dalton, and Madeline represents both a miracle and an immense burden. All three required extensive medical care, with a combined total of five surgeries in the immediate aftermath of the disaster, and more procedures to follow.

Beyond their physical injuries, the survivors face the overwhelming emotional trauma of losing their loved ones in such a sudden and violent way. Mallory lost her husband, daughter, and both parents in a single night. Five-year-old Dalton lost his father, baby sister, and grandparents. Madeline lost her parents and her beloved niece.

The community response to their plight has been overwhelming. Multiple GoFundMe campaigns have raised over $143,000 to support their ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, and immediate needs. The goal of $200,000 reflects the long-term nature of their recovery process, which includes continued medical appointments and follow-ups across three different cities.

Community Support and Legacy

The outpouring of support for the surviving family members has been extraordinary. Jordan Gaffney, who organized one of the GoFundMe campaigns, expressed amazement at the generosity: “We are absolutely blown away by the love and generosity shown on the first day of this fundraiser. Thanks to your incredible support, we’re approaching our initial $50,000 goal much faster than we ever expected.”

Robert Broadnax, Brian’s colleague and close friend, has been instrumental in rallying support for Mallory and Dalton. His GoFundMe page not only raises funds but serves as a place for friends and colleagues to share memories of Brian’s impact on their lives, creating a lasting memorial to his character and influence.

The Charles River Associates community has rallied around their colleague’s family, demonstrating the professional respect and personal affection that Brian had earned throughout his career. His work in advancing healthcare solutions continues to have impact, while his memory inspires others to approach their work and relationships with the same thoughtfulness and integrity he embodied.

Recovery and Remembrance

As of July 2025, Mallory, Dalton, and Madeline have been released from the hospital and are recovering at home, though their journey continues to be difficult. Madeline faces additional surgery in the coming weeks, and all three continue to require ongoing medical appointments and follow-ups.

The Texas Rangers’ successful location and identification of Mike, Pam, Brian, and Blake on July 15 provided crucial closure for the family, allowing them to begin the difficult process of grieving and memorial planning.

The Casa Bonita community, where only a few houses remained standing out of the original twenty after the floods, has been forever changed by this tragedy. The devastating loss of the Smith-Carpenter family serves as a reminder of both the fragility of life and the strength of community bonds in times of crisis.

In Their Memory

Mike and Pam Smith will be remembered as devoted parents and grandparents who treasured their family above all else. Their legacy lives on in their surviving daughters and grandson, and in the values of love, family, and togetherness they instilled.

Brian Carpenter will be remembered as a professional who used his talents to advance healthcare, a friend who brought thoughtfulness and kindness to every relationship, and most importantly, as a devoted husband and father who loved his family with his whole heart.

Little Blake Carpenter will be remembered for the joy and wonder she brought to every day of her short life, and for the immense love that surrounded her from the moment she was born.

Together, they represent the devastating human cost of this natural disaster, but also the enduring power of love, family, and community support in the face of unimaginable loss.

Survivors

Mike and Pam Smith, Brian Carpenter, and Blake Carpenter are survived by Mallory Carpenter and her son Dalton, and by Madeline Smith. They are also survived by the extended family members, friends, colleagues, and community members whose lives they touched through their kindness, professionalism, and love.

The family continues to need support as they navigate their long road to physical and emotional recovery. Their story serves as a powerful reminder to cherish every moment with our loved ones and to support one another through life’s most difficult challenges.

In loving memory of Mike Smith, Pam Smith, Brian Carpenter, and Blake Carpenter – a family whose love for each other and impact on their community will never be forgotten.