Mark Allan Carney

I just found out from my brother that my favorite coach from Royal Valley High School died over 2 years ago. I tried to find him years ago by googling his name and had no luck. I'm absolutely devastated by this news. He saw me in the gym horsing around playing basketball with some guys and he asked me to go out for the team. I wasn't planning on going out for basketball. Coach Carney taught me to love the game, he was inspirational and the best darn coach I ever had. I wanted to tell him what...

I met Mark when he came to El Dorado High School as an assistant principal. I spent many hours in his office, bonding over many conversations dealing with high school athletics, our children, and the "problem children" we both dealt with (me in my classroom and him when they ran into problems in school). I received a call from him in 2004 informing me of a teaching position at Kapaun, and I will always be in debt to him for that call. That call gave me ten good years of teaching at the end...

I did not know Mark well, but my husband Ned Carlin worked with Mark at Kapaun in the late 80s. He always spoke highly of Mark and appreciated his dedication to the students and the school. Ned was grateful for the support Mark gave him during some difficult days for the athletic program. Ned was delighted when Mark visited us in KC on one of his trips to visit his family. They are both now at peace.

Mark was one of the finest men I ever had the opportunity and pleasure to know. We worked together at El Dorado High School for many years. He was not only a colleague but a friend and in many ways a mentor. He was honest, loyal, caring and a credit to his profession. He was respected by students and staff. We had many good conversations about education and life. I know he fought several tough battles with cancer and his courage was remarkable. Rest In Peace my friend.