Norman "Carney" L Carnahan Obituary (1921

Norman L. "Carney" Carnahan, 97, passed away peacefully at his home on April 20, 2019. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Sally May Carnahan, and a son Michael Louis Carnahan. He is survived by his second wife Linda Taylor Polk Carnahan, his daughter Carole Burgess and husband Rich, his son Richard Carnahan and wife Pat, as well as eleven grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. Following a successful career with BF Goodrich, he established Russellville Tire Company after moving to Russellville in 1964. Carney loved his community and was active in many leadership roles including past president of the Russellville Chamber of Commerce, where he worked with the Industrial Contact Team recruiting numerous industries to locate in Russellville. He was a member for over 40 years and Past President of the Russellville Noon Rotary Club, and served on the Pope County Library Board. An avid gardener, one of his proudest achievements was the planting of numerous trees in downtown and at the Russellville Country Club, where he also installed blue bird boxes. He remained an active leader in the community well into his 90's. He was born July 28, 1921, in Princeton, Indiana, and enlisted in the Indiana National Guard, 37th Division in 1940 and went on to join the regular Army at the beginning of World War II. He served in the European Theatre with the 101st Airborne Division "Screaming Eagles." On June 6, 1944, Carney participated in Operation Overlord by flying in a Waco Glider and landing just past Omaha Beach. He received the Army's Bronze Star Medal for his actions during the Battle of the Bulge and later earned his pilot's wings and flew light surveillance aircraft. A Memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, April 24, 2019, at Humphrey Chapel. Rev. Brian Brock, Kelton Burgess, Richard Peel, and Jim Bob Humphrey will officiate. Military honors will be provided following the memorial service at the funeral home by the Rogers-Rye Post #2283 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The family will receive friends following the honors ceremony. A private burial will be at Rest Haven Memorial Park. His grandsons, Kelton and Christopher Burgess, Brian, David, Tim and Ben Carnahan will serve as pallbearers. His granddaughters, Elizabeth Burgess Rogers, Katie Carnahan, Dana Kelleher, Brooklyn Pyburn, and Stacey Emmot, and members of the Russellville Noon Rotary Club will serve as honorary pallbearers. Memorial gifts in Carney's memory can be made to the American Cancer Society, c/o Judy Murphy, 126 Lakeview Circle, Russellville, AR 72802 or Kindred Hospice, 3801 West Main St., 3801 West Main St., Russellville, AR 72801. Online obituary and guestbook may be viewed at www.humphreyfuneral.com.