Thomas James Carney

Thomas James "Jim" Carney Jr., aged 89, passed away on August 28, 2024, in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Born on January 15, 1935, in Butte, Montana, Jim was the eldest of seven children born to Thomas James Carney Sr. and Helen Catherine Ballard.

Dad was one of the few lucky people to be born into his perfect life. He was crazy about trains and born into a railroad family. As a child, he lived in train depots, as an adult he had the biggest train set any boy could imagine: dispatching trains across the country. He began his official train career at the age of 14 as a telegrapher for the Union Pacific Railroad, the youngest operator at that time. Throughout his childhood and adult life, the railroad had him living in locations across Montana, Utah, and Idaho.

In 1957, Dad enlisted in the US Army where he put his telegrapher skills to work on the ship and in Italy. He enjoyed his time in Italy and even had audiences with two popes (Pope Pius XII and Pope John XXIII). Returning to the states meant returning to the railroad, where he remained for four decades, retiring in 1989. After retiring, Dad tried his hand at real estate with his wife, and was popular at breakfast when he decided to sell waffle mix and waffle makers.

Dad was a devout Catholic, actively involved in Saint Joseph Parish in Pocatello, and in Saint Thomas More Parish in Cottonwood Heights. His many roles included CCD instructor, RCIA sponsor, usher, eucharistic minister, counting the collection, church security, and running a perfectly legal Bingo game at Saint Joseph's. Dad was a Fourth Degree Officer in the Knights of Columbus and founded the 11479 Council, serving as its first Grand Knight.

Pranks and storytelling kept Dad young. We're still not sure if he made up the Bigfoot stories. Camping trips were filled with stories and rain, fishing and rain, card games and rain. At home, Dad kept things interesting by constantly remodeling the Pocatello house.

Dad's greatest joy was his marriage and being a devoted husband to Joan, with whom he shared a deep and enduring bond, even after her passing. He is survived by his eight children, Patrick (Rossana), Brigid, Brenden, Timothy (Julie Graver), Kevin (Ashley), Clifford, Francis (Sara), and Megan (Daniel Zurkan); thirty grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; and his siblings Cathleen, Ann, Tim, and Helen Clare. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Patrick and Michael, and his beloved wife Joan.

An Irish wake will be held in his honor on Friday, September 13th at 6:00 p.m., at Alpha Coffee, 7260 Racquet Club Dr, Cottonwood Heights. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Cottonwood Heights on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jim's memory to the Knights of Columbus Council 11479 at Saint Thomas More Catholic Church. Contributions can be made online at https://utahknights.org/council/11479/.