James A. Carney

Captain James A. "Al" Carney, a distinguished U.S. Navy officer and proud Arkansan, passed away after a remarkable career of military and public service.

Born in Fort Smith and raised in Hot Springs, he graduated from Hendrix College with a degree in economics before joining the Navy through Officer Candidate School in 1961.

During a career spanning nearly three decades, Captain Carney served aboard numerous naval vessels and completed a combat deployment during the Vietnam War where he was awarded The Bronze Star. He later commanded the destroyer USS Leftwich (DD-984) and served at the Pentagon, helping support President Ronald Reagan's "600-ship Navy" expansion.

Captain Carney is best remembered as commanding officer of the battleship USS Missouri (BB-63) from 1986 to 1988, shortly after her historic reactivation. He led the legendary "Mighty Mo" on a highly visible around-the-world deployment and commanded the ship during Operation Earnest Will in the Persian Gulf.

Following his retirement from the Navy, Captain Carney returned to Arkansas, where he both founded a consulting business and worked for Lockheed Martin. Outside of his business career, Al served as chairman of the Hot Springs Housing Authority Board, as well as, chairman of the Muses Creative Artistry Project.

Al will also be remembered for his love of golf, The First Presbyterian Church and the Arkansas Razorbacks.

He will be deeply missed by his wife, Betty Kate; sons, Allen and Logan; daughters-in-law Michelle and Victoria, and grandchildren Jack and Logan.

Online condolences athttp://www.caruth-hale.com.

Did you mean: