DEL CARNES

1931 - 2018

Del Carnes, the Former Entertainment Editor of The Denver Post from 1960 to 1970, passed away April 16, 2018 from liver cancer. He was born in Wichita Kansas to Lucille and Merle Carnes. At age 19. he sold his first national freelance article to Official Detective Magazine while working a a reporter on the Wichita Beacon. His story, "I almost forgot I killed her" was the cover story. In 1954 he became the youngest person ever to win the Pell Mell Big Story Award. This was an award for "Distinguished service to his community in the field of journalism". His story was dramatized for National Radio on NBC. He moved to Denver Colorado in 1955 accepting a job on the Denver Post. There he met his future wife Barbara Pitts (a nurse at Denver General Hospital) while working on a story about how emergency rooms operate. They were married a year later, and in 1960 he and Barbara celebrated the birth of their first son Philip. That same year, Del became the entertainment editor of the newspaper. As entertainment editor, his job was to review television, radio, movies, and theater. This took him to Hollywood, New York, Europe, and of course all throughout the Colorado area. He quickly became friends with celebrities such as Ed Sullivan, Rod Serling, and Walter Winchell. As well as interviewing everyone from Liberace, to Bing Crosby. He would proudly display a telegram from Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz congratulating him on the birth of their second son Gary in 1963. In 1964 began writing scripts for television, including a number of scripts for Death Valley Days and Combat. Also appeared as an actor in several episodes of Death Valley Days. In 1970, Del retired from the Denver Post to begin his life as an entrepreneur, Investing in real estate as well as opening several retail stores across Colorado. Including "Mrs. Mayp's Cake and Food Decorating" which operated in Denver for more than 30 Years. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 28 at 11 AM at the Northglenn United Church of Christ,10500 Grant Drive Northglenn, CO 80233. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Arvada Animal Urgent Care, 12520 W. 64tth. Arvada, Co. 80004. C/O The Philip and Tripper Carnes Fund.