Gordon A. Carncross

Gordon A. Carncross

Died March 6, 2026

LAKE LEELANAU – Gordon Andrew Carncross, 80, of Lake Leelanau, passed away Friday, March 6, 2026 in Traverse City, Michigan.

Gordon was born September 28, 1945, in Mt. Pleasant, the son of Everett and Emma (Leeth) Carncross. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Beverly (Haring).

Gordon grew up on a rural 78 acre farm in Clare, Michigan, where early life revolved around tending animals, working the fields, and completing daily farm chores. Some of Gordon's favorite childhood memories included Sunday drives with his family after church, stopping at roadside parks for simple picnics of bread and bananas. He also cherished relaxing summer afternoons spent together after church making homemade ice cream-the entire family taking part, from his father fetching blocks of ice from the ice house, to his mother cooking the custard base on the stove, to Gordon and his brother taking turns cranking the old-fashioned wooden ice cream maker. Those formative years also nurtured his lifelong love of the outdoors-especially deer hunting on family property. Gordon attended a small country school where multiple grades were taught in the same classroom. Listening to lessons intended for older students sparked his curiosity and academic drive, eventually allowing him to advance ahead to a higher grade level. Alongside his academic interests, Gordon developed a passion for all things mechanical, spending hours tinkering with cars, tractors, and hydroplanes with his good friend Bob David.

High school brought many opportunities for growth in sports, music, and leadership. Gordon served as the starting center for the Pioneer football team, was elected Student Council President, and played guitar in a church band alongside his cousins. It was also during high school that fate stepped in: on Friday the 13th, 1963, Gordon met his sweetheart, Beverly Haring. Their love story continued when they were married on August 7, 1965 at the Eagle Church of God in Clare.

Gordon built an accomplished career with General Motors, beginning and ending his professional journey with the same company. He joined Chevrolet as a GMI co-op student at the Saginaw Parts Plant in 1963. Over the years, he steadily advanced through leadership roles, becoming General Supervisor of Production in 1973, Assistant Master Mechanic in 1974, and Manufacturing Superintendent in 1975. In 1976, he was named Administrator of Product Planning at GM's Central Office, and in 1980 he became Superintendent of Inspection at the Engine Plant. Gordon's work in engine development and his leadership as a Plant Manager contributed to the recognition of GM engines in the 1990s, when he and his team were honored by Ward's Automotive as producing some of the Best Engines in the World.

Despite a career that took him around the globe-including travel to Japan and Germany and numerous promotional opportunities across the United States-Gordon's greatest priority was always his family. As the father of three daughters, he delighted in sharing the activities he loved. From go-kart racing on a homemade tractor conversion on the family's five-acre homestead to boating, fishing, water skiing, skiing, and gardening, Gordon made sure family life was filled with adventure. His strong work ethic and financial discipline were passed along in creative ways-through garden chores such as weeding or picking potato bugs at a penny each, allowing the girls to earn enough change for weekly ice cream cones at the local parlor.

Gordon's life was sustained by his faith, his deep devotion to family, and his enduring drive for achievement. Some of his greatest joys came from remodeling family homes and cottages as the family grew, as well as spending time in nature and the great outdoors-reeling in walleye or lake trout while fishing Higgins Lake during family summers, or Lake Leelanau with friends Joe Spielman, Rick Ehrenberger, and Dan Oberski. Fishing charter trips with his sons-in-law Pete, Robert, and Glen, along with grandsons Zack, Jared, and Jake, created treasured memories for generations.

Equally meaningful were the annual deer hunts at his 120-acre Flowing Well deer camp-traditions that gave him something to look forward to each year and even helped motivate him during his kidney recovery. Evenings spent playing euchre with neighbors and family were another favorite pastime.

Gordon's legacy lives on in the traditions he cherished: a sunrise over the property, a sunset over the lake, and the enduring strength and success of the family he loved so deeply.

Gordon is survived by his wife of 60 years, Beverly; three daughters, Angela (Peter Brambs) Diehl, Tara (Robert Raymond) Carncross, Lori (Glen) Stevens; a sister in law, Jeanne Carncross, a nephew, Dan (Donna) Carncross, a niece, Kristi Mayfield, and his grandchildren, Zachary Seilkop, Jakob Seilkop and Jared (Joelle) Diehl.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Lawrence Carncross.

A celebration of Gordon's life and burial in Suttons Bay Township Cemetery will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Kidney Companions at www.kidneycompanions.org/give and/or National Kidney Foundation of Michigan at www.kidney.org

Please share condolences and memories with Gordon's family at www.martinson.info.

Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.