Charles William Carney

Charles William Carney, 81, of Valley View Estates went home to be with Jesus Saturday, May 17th, 2014 at St Patrick's Hospital due to complications from pneumonia. He was born in Jordan, MT on December 15th, 1932 to Ernest and Opal (Grove) Carney.
Charles spent his childhood years in Jordan helping his father run the 3,000 acre homestead. He was the oldest of four and usually had to ride a horse or walk five miles to school. During these young years he developed a strong work ethic that carried him through the rest of his life. He moved to Hamilton, MT in the fall of 1947, attended Hamilton High School, and graduated in 1951. He went to work at the Anaconda Smelter until he was drafted into the army in 1953. After basic training, he married his high school sweetheart, Lucille Thomas, on June 25th, 1953. Shortly afterwards he left for Germany as part of the occupation forces. One year later, Lucille joined him in Germany. Charles had saved all his leave-time so together they could travel to many European countries, including Austria, France, Switzerland and Holland. Upon completion of his service, they returned to his job in Anaconda where his two sons, Robert and Larry were born. Following a year at the University of Montana, they moved to Hamilton in 1957. They settled into a busy life with the addition of daughter, RuthAnn, and son, Loren. Charles worked odd jobs until he went to work for Howes Creamery in 1958 as the entire family acquired a lasting love for ice cream. In 1963 he started working for Montana Power Company. Despite being diagnosed with MS in 1968 he was able to keep working until June 1978 at which time he took early retirement.
Charles loved all sports, hunting, fishing, camping, bowling, pinochle and many other card games. He loved His Lord and Savior, Jesus, above all and was very involved and faithful in the Hamilton Assembly of God church. To the many lives he touched, Charles is remembered for being kindhearted, upbeat, faithful, loving, and one who approached life's challenges with a joyful, cheerful heart. He loved spending time in God's Word and talking to his wife daily, and thoroughly enjoyed his kids and grandkids. He had a great zest for life that impacted everyone he met.
Charles was preceded in death by his father, Ernest; mother, Opal; two sons, Larry and Robert and grandson, Joshua. Survivors include sisters, Goldie Zobrist and Mary Sage of FL; and brother, Leon (Pat) Carney of Missoula; wife, Lucille of Corvallis; daughter, Ruth (Steve) Firkins of OR; son, Loren (Carol) Carney of Corvallis; grandchildren: Craig (Misty); Doug (Sarah); Brianne (James); Amanda (Aaron); David (Melissa); Lisa; Rachel (Jake) and 13 great-grandchildren with 2 more coming soon. Charles was also loved and will be missed by a large extended family and numerous friends.
The family suggests that donations be made to Hamilton Assembly of God Missions.