Gerald Lee Carnes, 69, passed away Tuesday, April 12 in his Webb City home surrounded by family and friends after a 4 year battle with pancreatic cancer.
Gerald was born in 1947 to the late Lillian Jarnigan and Eugene Carnes in Carthage, MO. Gerald was a 1965 graduate of Carthage Sr. High School and was drafted into the Army for service in Vietnam. After serving his time in the army, he married Debbie DeWitt in 1967 and they had 3 children, Shawn Carnes of Nashville, TN., Kelli Carnes Burrough of Diamond, MO. and Mandy Carnes Meadows of Carthage, MO.
Additional survivors include a sister, Sue Carnes Ivey of Dallas, TX., and 2 stepchildren, Andrea Fryar Bailey of Carl Junction, MO., Jason Fryar of Pittsburg, KS. and 9 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Anne McCoy Carnes in 2007, and 2 brothers, Leonard Carnes of Boyertown, PA. and Bob Carnes of Carthage, MO.
Gerald was very involved with the community, serving as president of the Webb City chapter Jaycees, coaching little league baseball and actively sponsoring fundraising events. In addition to being a lifetime machinist, he also owned Carnes Sharpening Service in Webb City.
During the 2011 Joplin Tornado, Gerald volunteered his sharpening services for rescue and cleanup operations in the area.
Since his early teens, music was his passion, playing drums in his first band with his brothers called The Castaways. Gerald went on to play drums for many regional acts in the area. He was one of the founding members of Denny and the Cruisers, actively playing all over the four state area. Gerald made music a huge part of his life, playing drums and owning a karaoke business up until 2012.
Family and friends will host a Celebration of Life this Sunday, 6PM-9PM at The Woodshed - located inside "Cherry's Art Emporium on the Square", 311 S. Main, Carthage, MO. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you donate to the Carthage Humane Society.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Simpson Funeral Home in Webb City. Visit www.simpsonfh.com for online condolences.
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