William Carnes

CARNES, William Jeffrey "Jeff" The professor has taught his final class - his work is done. Born in Kannapolis, North Carolina, the oldest of four children, Jeff graduated from A.L. Brown High School. He received a B.S. in Business Administration and Economics from Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina, and his Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law. He practiced Labor and Employment Law in Tampa beginning in 1993. He also served as a visiting and adjunct instructor on the University of South Florida faculty, teaching courses in Management Ethics, Labor and Employment Law and Labor Negotiation and Collective Bargaining Agreement Administration in the School of Business Administration. Before his law career, Jeff was an officer with the Tampa Fire Department and a member of IAFF Local 754, serving as Executive Board member, Negotiation Team member and Political Director. He was President of the Bay Area Council of Firefighters and the 10th District Vice President of the Professional Firefighters of Florida. He was President Emeritus of the West Central Florida Industrial Relations Research Association. In addition to his membership in FTP/NEA and the AFL-CIO Lawyers Coordinating Committee, he served as Co-Chairman of the Labor Relations Committee of the Labor and Employment Law Section of the Florida Bar. His Labor Law practice provided counsel and representation to more than seventy bargaining units representing employees of public utilities, government (fire fighters, paramedics and general employees), industrial, construction and craft trades. Jeff had a full life which included memberships in The Firefighters Service League; President of the Krewe of Ft. Brooke; Rough Riders; National Watch and Clock Collectors Association; Sports Car Club of America; BMWCCA. Jeff served as "Crew Chief" for his friend's racing team at Sebring and enjoyed many weekends twisting wrenches and timing laps. He also had an encyclopedic knowledge of blues and rock and roll, especially 1960s and early 1970s rock having seen many live concerts by performers like JJ Cale, Howlin' Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, and Otis Redding. His Facebook friends will surely miss his Friday music posts! Known as a kind and considerate soul, he was always willing to listen to the other side's perspective and make every effort to reach common ground. He was a good friend to all, a strong Democrat and a protector of the working man. He will be missed. Especially by those who knew him best and loved him most including his daughter, Elizabeth Paul (Randy); grandsons, Joe and Nick Trubilla; granddaughter, Olivia Paul; his Little Sweetie of 32 years, Edith Stewart and her family, Mary Zimmer (Kevin Kennedy), Patti Burke (Zeke Duge), Rob Stewart (Sunny); grandsons, Tyler Zimmer, Carson Zimmer (Briana Ozor), Reef Stewart; and granddaughter, Mary-Cathryn Zimmer; his North Carolina family; sisters, Mary Anne Bauer (Bill) and Karen Taylor (Tom); and brother, Keith Carnes (Kelly); and his loyal assistant and right hand man, Bobby Mui. According to Jeff, the sky will always be Carolina Blue; it will always be a jungle out there; the rule will always be: No Talking, No Laughing, No Having Fun, And "You're going to miss me when I'm gone." A celebration of Jeff's life was held by his family and friends on April 14. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in his memory to Feeding Tampa Bay. https://www.memorialparkfuneralhome.com/