Michael Frank Carney's Obituary
On Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at 12:45 a.m., beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather Michael Frank Carney, DPM, peacefully passed away, freed from the pains and sorrows of mortality.
Mike, as he preferred to be called, entered this world on November 20, 1940, as the oldest of three sons born to Frank R and Veva Evelyn (Merriman) Carney in Sturgis, Michigan. Other than a short stint in New York, while his father was in the U.S. Navy, he was raised in LaGrange, Indiana. All 12 years of primary and secondary education were received at the LaGrange School. On the first day of sixth grade, a small group of new students arrived. Each, in turn, stood in front of the class to introduce themselves. Soon, a lovely but shy little blonde girl (Sharon Sue Blalock) spoke so softly that she could not be heard. Enamored and seeing something special in the young lady, Mike – ever the class clown – arose and blurted, “I’ll take that one!” It was love at first sight and the beginning of a love affair that lasted another 63 years.
During his high-school years, Mike played multiple sports, including baseball and basketball, but he excelled most at track and field. In later years, he recollected, “Everywhere I went, I ran. That’s just how I got around.” He won numerous trophies and awards, eventually being branded “the fastest man in LaGrange County” by a local newspaper. Sue played saxophone in the school band; as an excuse to be close to her, Mike took up the cymbals and played in the band.
After dating all through high school, these inseparable lovebirds were married on March 20, 1960. Each of the following 4 years culminated in the birth of a daughter: Danelle Annette, Julee Sue, Stacy Lee, and Kathy Ann. Sadly, on Sue’s 24th birthday, tragedy struck and their sweet baby, Kathy, passed away.
During those years, Mike worked as a mailman to provide for his new family. In 1966, Mike and Sue proudly welcomed a son, Michael Steven. For weeks, a blue flag flew outside the post office announcing, “It’s a boy!”
After high school, Mike went to Purdue University on an academic scholarship. Upon Danelle’s birth, however, he left to work full time. In 1967, he decided to return to college. He attended Western Michigan University earning a B.S. degree in Biology and continued on to earn a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from the California College of Podiatric Medicine. Though separated for a time, when Mike blazed their trail to California, his stalwart wife and 4 children followed him from LaGrange, Indiana to Kalamazoo, Michigan to San Francisco, California and, finally, to Long Beach, California. In Long Beach, he completed his residency and went on to hang his own shingle as a podiatrist.
One day, sometime in 1978, there was a knock on their house door. Two young men in dark suits, white shirts, and ties asked to share a message about the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Mike and Sue requested that these missionaries return when the entire family was present to share their message. They did so and, over many visits, taught the restored gospel to the Carney family. On December 9, 1978, the family was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cypress, California.
In 1981, as their oldest daughter, Danelle, celebrated her 21st birthday, Sue gave birth to their youngest child, Christopher Ian. Chris was born a son, a brother, and an uncle, as their first grandchild, Mark, was already almost 3 years old.
Mike’s philosophy centered around his strong work ethic and stoicism, which transferred to his discipleship. Shortly after being baptized, he expressed his sorrow at not having the opportunity to serve a mission; a week later, he was called as a stake missionary. He was an exemplary home teacher, at times having upwards of 15 families assigned to him, and always available to help people move or fix things. He was the driving force behind the conversion of his family to the gospel.
Mike was a faithful man, a devoted and doting husband, a fun and funny dad, an excellent surgeon, and was indefatigable in all aspects of his life. He is mourned and will be missed by his 5 children, 8 grandchildren (Mark, Krista, Steven, Ashley, Ian, Aiden, Hugo, and Ellie), and 3 great-grandchildren (Kolstad, James, and Israel). He is welcomed to his eternal home by his parents, wife, two brothers, daughter Kathy, and grandson Cameron. We are grateful for the knowledge that he is again in the arms of his loving Savior and his family and friends who have gone before.
Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – 8107 South 6700 West, West Jordan, Utah. A service will also be held in California to be announced later.
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