Ned Edward Carnahan

Ned Edward Carnahan, age 78 of St. George, Utah, passed away August 9, surrounded by the love of his wife, children, and grandchildren. Ned was born November 29, 1946, to Clarence Edward Carnahan and Grace Mae Rathbun. He was raised in Alexandria, VA, Ogden, UT, and Albuquerque, NM. After high school, he worked for the BLM as apprentice surveyor and enjoyed adventures in those unique landscapes.

He came to St. George, UT in 1965 and worked as a security officer at Dixie College. He was previously married to and had four children with Ann Tobler. He was drafted to the Army in 1971 and served as a police officer and criminal investigator at Fort Huachuca, AZ, achieving the rank of Sargent by 1972. He also served as a volunteer fire chief for Washington City, Utah and as a police officer for St. George City.

After serving faithfully in the military he continued his education and received an associate degree at Dixie College, earned a bachelor’s degree in communications at Southern Utah University and a master’s degree in communications, TV and radio at Utah State University. Ned taught communications, TV and radio for seven years at Dixie College. He spent countless hours helping students create and host the radio station at Dixie College and used his talents in construction to support the Dixie College drama department by building sets and working quietly behind the scenes. He became the Executive Director of Physical Plant and Campus Planning and was employed at Dixie College for a total of 37 years and retired in 2008. During his tenure at Dixie College, he enjoyed serving as chairman of the state building board and finished his career at Mesa Engineering as Project Manager.

He married the love of his life Patrica Webb Carnahan in 2000 in the St. George, UT temple, bringing four additional children to his family. The two made their home in St. George, UT. He was loving and supportive of all of the children including, Glen (Sharlie), Rebecca Thode (JD), Russ (Rachel T.), Jerry (Mariah), Jared (Laura), Megann (Barry), Tyler (Katrina), and Zachary. He loved all 15 grandchildren immensely including Cali (Kaleb)Turner, Grant, Jessica, Jordan and James, Jaxon and Dagen, Corbin and Brynlee, Cody (Cassidy), Dante’, Easten, Trevor, Ryan and Alex. He also loved his five great grandchildren. His whole focus was always on his family including his children and extended family and he started the tradition of the Carnahan family reunion to strengthen and preserve those family bonds that were so important to him. He cherished memories of his early life working hard beside his beloved grandfather Lewis Harrison on the family farm.

His family was the joy of his life. He was always kind to everyone and offered to do everything he could to help others. His kindness and acts of service have touched the lives of countless friends, family, neighbors, community members and fellow church members. He was a convert and an active member of the LDS church his entire life and served on the High Council and numerous callings. He and his wife enjoyed their lives together and traveling to Alaska, the National Parks, and Europe. He loved to spend time tinkering in his garage, at the shop with special friends, and fulfilling his lifelong dream of building a beautiful cabin nestled in the trees near Navajo Lake on Cedar Mountain.

He is survived by his wife Patrica, by his brother Christopher Carnahan, and sisters Marclare Bell, Susan Raiford, Laura Carnahan, and Julia Fox and his children. Ned was preceded in death by his mother Grace Mae Rathbun, his father Clarence Edward Carnahan, loving stepmother Patricia Ann Travers, and in laws.

The Carnahan family would like to extend a special heartfelt thanks to caretakers at Southern Utah Veterans Home and Dixie Hospice for their exceptional care. The family would also like to thank “Ned’s Crew,” of friends who have continued to support Ned after his stroke by taking him on outings, weekly lunches and being the rocks he could always count on.

A viewing will be held Friday, August 15 from 6-8pm and on August 16 from 9:30am to 10:30am at the LDS Chapel located at 1130 East Brigham Road, St. George, Utah. The funeral services will begin at 11:00am at the same location. Interment will take place immediately following the service at the Tonaquint Cemetery in St. George, UT with full military honor. A luncheon will follow at the LDS chapel. Condolences can be shared and the live stream may be watched at mcmillanmortuary.com.