Glenn Frank Carnahan

ELBA - Glenn Frank Carnahan, 81, of Elba, passed away on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, at the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Glenn was born on March 24, 1933, in Malta, Idaho, to Marion Carlos and Leola Pearl Putnam Carnahan. He graduated from Raft River High School in 1951. He then served in the United States Air Force where he trained as a flight engineer on B-29 bombers. He was honorably discharged in 1956. After he served his country, he attended Utah State University in Logan, Utah. He received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Agronomy within four years.

On June 26, 1957, he married Janis Lloyd, of Elba, in the Logan Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They had four children, Tamara (Michael) Cooper of Pueblo West, Colo., Carl J. (Vilma) Carnahan of Bartlett, Tenn., Clayton P. (Brenda) Carnahan of Shelley, Idaho, and Curtis G. (Sally Ann) Carnahan of Parker, Idaho.

Glenn’s long and distinguished career in agriculture began with the USDA Soil Conservation Service from 1960 to 1977. He was employed by the University of Idaho as superintendent of the Tetonia Research and Extension Center in Tetonia, Idaho, from 1977 to 1982. He was on loan to New Mexico State University for the Egyptian Major Cereals Improvement Project (EMCIP) in the Arab Republic of Egypt from 1982 to 1984. When he and Janis returned from Egypt, he was assigned to be the operations manager of the Parma Research and Extension Center in Parma, Idaho. He worked for Hi Alta, Inc. in Moore, Idaho, in the research and development of early generation seed potatoes from 1985 to 1995. He was a consultant for AGPRO International in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, in 2001. He also spent several months on a special project in Moscow, Russia. He was a consultant for Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance (VOCA) for two trips to Armenia. Janis accompanied him on the second trip as his assistant.

Glenn and Janis lived in numerous communities over the years and visited many other countries. However, he always considered working and living in Egypt the highlight of his life. After retirement, they divided their time between their homes in Elba and Queen Valley, Ariz.

Glenn was a member of the Lions Club, American Legion, and Cowboy Poets of Idaho.

His hobbies included gardening, hunting, fishing, fly-tying, genealogy, carving Hopi Kachina dolls, making jewelry from the treasures he found as a rock hound, reciting cowboy poetry, and hosting Dutch oven chicken or pig roasting parties for family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Janis; his children; brother, Carlos B. (Joyce) Carnahan, and sister, Naldene (Lawrence) Penrod of Heyburn, Idaho; sister, Merna (William) Smith of Lehi, Utah; ten grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren (plus one due in July); and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Orville D. (Colleen) Carnahan, and Rulon M. Carnahan.

In keeping with Glenn’s wishes, he was cremated and there will be no traditional funeral service. His family will host a wake and celebration of life on Sunday, June 15, 2014, beginning at 2 p.m. at his Elba home. If you are able to attend, please bring a side dish and favorite beverage. Come eat, drink, and share stories.

In memory of Glenn, please make donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tenn.; The Disabled American Veterans (DAV); or the Fisher House, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Rasmussen Funeral Home of Burley.