Jon Carney

Jonathan Wayne Carney, age 46, of Strafford, Missouri, passed away on Saturday, August 16, 2025. Jonathan was born to Mike Carney and Carolyn Carney on July 9, 1979 in Kansas City, Kansas. Jonathan was united in marriage to Amy Carney on March 16, 2002 in Wichita, Kansas.

Jon grew up in Wichita, KS and earned his degree in Parks Resource Management from Kansas State University in 2001. He dedicated his career to the Parks & Recreation industry, serving the last 13 years as the Superintendent of General Services for the Springfield-Greene County Park Board (SGCPB). In this role Jon supervised staff within the Park Operations Division, including turf & sports fields, the Botanical Center, Landscape & Forestry, Trails & Greenways, the Parks Service center & warehouse, as well as Safety & Risk Management. Jon worked closely with the Recreation Division and was instrumental in the planning and execution of a wide variety of special events and tournaments, including the Department's annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot 5k run/walk and state and regional softball tournaments. He was also a key contributor to the City of Springfield's safety initiatives. His passion for the industry expanded to his involvement in the Missouri Parks & Recreation Association (MPRA), where is served in a number of leadership roles including Region Director, Park Resources Section President, Annual Fund Chair, MPRA Professional Certification Board, Rodeo Committee, as well as the Conference Program Chair in 2022 and the Expo Hall Committee in 2015. He also earned his Certified Parks & Recreation Executive (CPRE) through the National Parks and Recreation Association.

Prior to joining the Park Board, Jon worked for the Missouri Department of Conservation, Platte County Parks & Recreation Department, the City of Topeka Parks Department and the Shawnee County Parks and Recreation Department.

Outside of work, Jon was an avid hunter, fisherman, beekeeper, and collector of arrowheads. He loved history and enjoyed research and detailed planning, especially family vacation destinations which included national parks and cities across the US, as well as internationally. His most endearing quality was his compassion for others. He was kind and thoughtful and made everyone he encountered feel welcome and special.

His greatest passion was his family. He always looked forward to spending quality time with Amy and Fabian. He was most proud of their individual accomplishments and regularly shared those milestones with friends and family.

Jon was preceded in death by his mother, Carolyn Carney. He is survived by his wife Amy Carney; daughter Fabian Carney; father Mike Carney; mother-in-law Kathy Hultman.

A visitation for Jonathan will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025, 6:00-8:00 PM, at Greenlawn Funeral Home North in Springfield, Missouri. The Funeral Service for Jon will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Greenlawn Funeral Home North with a burial to follow in Wichita, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers the family ask that donations be made to Ducks Unlimited.