Clarence Carnal
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 6A - March 14, 2012
Born Sept. 4, 1909 in Littleton,
CO to William Henry and Sarah
Belle (Bishop) Carnal. Clarence
a n d h i s f a m i l y m o v e d t o t h e
Western Slope when he was five.
They settled on the Uncompahgre
River (ranch) south of Montrose
CO. He attended & graduated
f r o m H i g h S c h o o l a t C o l o n a
School (1928). He married Rose
W. Arndt in Montrose on May 20, 1935. They moved to Washington
(state) in 1938 where daughter Dolores, was born in 1940. Later,
they lived in California and British Columbia (Canada), with Clarence
working at various occupations, prior to moving back to Grand
Junction in 1955. He then worked for the Colorado Dept. of Highways,
now CDOT while he also maintained a saw and gun repairs
shop doing all kinds of equipment repair and gunsmithing. Clarence
retired from CDOT in 1973. While operating the gun shop, he
also worked for Bookcliff Country Club, doing maintenance.
Clarence closed the gun shop in 1987, retired again and moved to
Old Mexico for four years, returning to Grand Junction in 1992.
Since then, he practiced poetry and gave his initial performance in
Cowboy Poetry at the local gathering (Museum of Western, CO) in
2008.
He was a natural performer and continued to do local appearances
until this year. He was honored to perform at the National Cowboy
Poetry Gathering in Elko, NV (Feb. 1-5, 2012). He performed there
with several well-known and accomplished poets who honored him
with respect and professional courtesy. This was the highlight of his
later years and he recalled the trip lovingly, until his death.
He is survived by his wife of 76 years, Rose; a daughter, Dolores;
seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren;
a sister, Lois (Charles) Hays of Ponca City, OK; and many
other relatives.
A memorial service in celebration of his long and wonderful life
will be noon, Friday, March 16, at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary. A reception
will follow. (Location will be announced.)
Memorial contributions may be made to: The Museum of Western
CO, Attn. RonnaLee Sharp; The Salvation Army; or the N.R.A.
