KENNETH W. CARNES
June 20, 1956-June 8, 2013
Kenneth W. Carnes, 56, passed away Saturday, June 8, 2013.
He was the son of Harry W. and Eloise V. Carnes of Goldsboro.
Kenny was born June 20, 1956, and grew up in Morningside, Md.
He graduated from Crossland High School June 15, 1973.
Kenny enjoyed motor cross racing, and April 14, 1974, while participating in a motor cross race, he was seriously injured. As a result of the injury, he became a paraplegic.
Kenny became interested in the sport of wheelchair racing, and as his interest peaked, he devoted full time to racing and traveling. He raced extensively in the United States as well as Canada, China, Japan, Venezuela, Holland, Spain, Poland, Portugal and Russia. He was the winner of numerous races.
Kenny was a world and national record holder in the sport of wheelchair racing.
He was especially proud of winning the Sadler's Midnight Sun Race in Alaska held July 22 through 27, 2000. The race was 267 miles, starting from George Parks Highway and going to Anchorage.
Kenny's most recent race was April 15, 2013, the Greater Goldsboro Road Run. He was the hand cycle/wheelchair winner.
Kenny received the following honors for his racing ability: Disabled Athlete of the Year presented by Track and Field for the United States, Governor's Salute to Excellence in Maryland (1992) and inducted in the United States Marine Corps Marathon Hall of Fame October 2000.
Kenny finished first place five times, and owns the course record for wheelchair racers, which was set in 1990.
He was employed by Eagles Sports Chairs in Snellville, Ga., as a consultant from 1990 to 2000.
Most recently, he was employed part-time as a people greeter at WalMart in Rosewood.
Kenny is survived by his mother, Eloise Carnes.
He was preceded in death by his father, Harry W. Carnes, Oct. 11, 2007.
A service remembering Kenny's life will be held Friday, June 14, 2013, at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Seymour Funeral Home, with the Rev. Rose Hicks and the Rev. William Creech officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Thursday, June 13, 2013, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home, and other times at the home of his mother.
Flowers are welcome, or memorials may be given in his memory to St. Joseph United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 43, Pikeville, N.C., 27863.
Online condolences may be given to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on June 12, 2013 1:48 PM