Lt. Col. Michael K. Carney (retired USAF), age 52, was baptized into the hope of Christ's resurrection, Thursday, September 21, 2023.

Loving husband for 25 years of Tracy Lyn Carney (Kendall). Beloved father of Abby, Evan, Beau, and Luci. Cherished son of Phillip (deceased) and Mary Ann Carney. Dear son-in-law of Larry and Judy Kendall. Treasured brother of Lynn (Rich) Blosser, Jack (Maggie) Carney, Kevin Carney, Mary (Matt) Combs, Greg (Amy) Kendall and Debbie (Ira) Brummit. Adored Uncle of Gabrielle, Will, Andrew, PJ, Mason, Maddie, Katy, Luke, Peter, Everett, Timmy, Brooklyn; and a much-loved nephew, cousin, friend, neighbor, and colleague to many.

Mike was born and raised in West St. Louis County where he attended Holy Infant School, charming the Irish Nuns and lay teachers alike. While there, he made many lifelong friends with whom he played soccer, basketball and baseball; they affectionately named him "Carndog." He would often be seen riding his Huffy Thunder Evel Knievel BMX bike down Manchester Road and up to Blue Bird Park following his big brother, Jack Carney of Ellisville, around. He attended Vianney High School and played football and baseball. In the Summer of his sophomore year, he was struck by Cupid's bow as he locked eyes with Tracy Kendall at Ballwin Ballpark and the rest is history (well sort of.) He and his sweetheart, Tracy were elected Homecoming King and Queen in 1988. He served as student council president and as a result of his many extracurricular activities, Mike earned the Vianney Griffin's Golden Circle and graduated in 1989.

Mike received a Bob Hope Scholarship to attend Northwestern Military Prep School in California. In the Spring of 1990, he received an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. He graduated in 1994 with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Japanese. After graduation he was stationed at Randolph Air Force Base for navigator training and was assigned to the KC-135 Stratotankers. He was known by his friends in the service as his call sign "Chili."  In August of 1998, he wed the love of his life, Tracy, and they started their new life in Spokane, Wash. and quickly started creating little Carndogs!

His work as a USAF navigator and training in air mobility and operations led him all over the globe with assignments in Okinawa, Washington State, Oklahoma, Italy, Diego Garcia, Kuwait, The Pentagon, Florida, and more. He and his wife Tracy and their kids finally settled down at Scott Air Force Base in 2012 where he worked in the 618th Air Operations Center and retired in 2015. He continued to serve the 618th AOC as a civilian until his illness in May of 2023.

Last year, on March 1, 2022 Mike was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme. With its 6-12 month prognosis, the diagnosis hit Mike and his family hard; unsurprisingly, Mike chose to fight and underwent surgery to remove the tumor and began multiple treatments to prevent tumor recurrence. And he fought like a boss! In multiple MRI scans his brain was clear. However, in March of 2023 doctors noticed a spot in the tumor cavity. They encouraged a surgical biopsy and while the test found scar tissue from radiation therapy there was no sign of glio's return. However, a post-operative infection slowly took root growing in his brain. 18 days after the procedure, Mike was again hospitalized after he fell at home. Doctors noticed an unusual amount of swelling on the left side of his brain, and Mike went home with a treatment plan to address the swelling. His condition declined, he was admitted to the Neuro ICU for 56 days and underwent several surgical procedures to try and alleviate the swelling and hydrocephalus in his brain. Before coming home in August, he spent another month in the hospital and rehab. In spite of all medical and healing interventions, he succumbed to the effects of the life-threatening infection.

Mike was a devoted family man who cherished his beautiful wife and their four children. He celebrated and cheered his children at all their sporting, cheer and extra-curricular activities. They were his world. Mike and Tracy created a warm and inviting home and they loved to host family and friends as they watched the games, listened to music and talked about life. Mike shared a close relationship with his four siblings and loved spending time with his large extended family at reunions and gatherings.

Mike possessed a special gift of connection. He made close friends wherever he went; he never met a stranger and made each and every person he came into contact with feel valued and special. Mike was a gifted speaker and a natural-born comedian and loved to laugh and make others laugh with his insightful witticisms and observations on the world. And Mike LOVED music, singing, analyzing the artists and lyrics and just sitting back and listening to the beautiful sounds. We will never listen to the KSHE Rock n Roll 500 without thinking about Mike. So Mike, we remember you for your devout faith in God, your deep devotion to Tracy, Abby, Evan, Beau, and Luci, your dedication to family and friends, your contagious laugh and beautiful smile, your amazing sense of humor, and your passion for all types of music… continue to be young, wild and free. Thank you for loving us all so completely and unselfishly.

Something's at the edge of your mind

You don't know what it is

Something you were hoping to find

But you're not sure what it is

Then you hear the music

And it all comes crystal clear

The music does the talking

Says the things you want to hear

I'm young, I'm wild and I'm free

Got the magic power of the music in me

I'm young, I'm wild and I'm free

Got the magic power of the music in me

-Triumph Magic Power

Mike's children are collecting stories of his life to be added to a book. They are amazed to hear the impact their dad has had on so many. If you have a story, please share it to mikeslegacy45@gmail.com .

Memorial donations are suggested to Folds of Honor .

Visitation will be 4 - 7:30 pm, Monday, September 25, 2023 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 625 St. Nicholas Dr., O'Fallon, Illinois 62269. A Prayer Service will begin a 7:30 pm, Monday, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church.

Visitation will continue at 10 am, Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at Holy Infant Catholic Church, 627 Dennison Dr., Ballwin, Missouri 63021.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am, Tuesday, at Holy Infant Catholic Church, with Rev. Edward Stanger presiding. Military honors will be rendered at the church.