Ford Carnes, Jr.

Ford L. Carnes, Jr., 75, of Lower Swatara Twp. died Tuesday, February 28, 2023 in VA Medical Center, Lebanon.

He was a graduate of Steelton-Highspire High School Class of 1965, a US Navy Veteran of the Vietnam War serving from 1965 to 1969. He was stationed in San Diego, CA, Vietnam and Newport, RI. He retired from the PA American Legion as its Activities Director and was a member of Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church, Middletown, Past Commander and Adjutant of Dominic DiFrancesco Memorial American Legion Post 594, Middletown, American Legion Baseball Committee, a member of ANAUICUS, Scout Master and Committee Chair and Chartered Organization Representative for BSA Troop 594, Middletown, Camp Master at Winter Camp in Hidden Valley. He was awarded the Silver Beaver Award, the Wood Badge, and the Vigil Honor in the Susquehanock Lodge XI Order of the Arrow. He also served as Director of several American Legion National Regional Baseball Tournaments. He was inducted into the PA American Legion Sports Hall of Fame and the Mid-Atlantic Scouts Assn. Sports Hall of Fame. His hobbies include baseball, golf and his grandchildren.

Ford was born August 27, 1947 to Ford L. and Marguerite Fox Carnes and is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Patricia Bonczek Carnes; three sons, Paul Carnes and his wife, Michelle, Michael Carnes and his wife, Gina, and Andrew Carnes and his wife, Tricia; ten grandchildren, Katelyn, Olivia, Presley, Lyndsay, Ford, Charley, Ava, Alyx, Dexter, and Jack; two sisters, Elizabeth Carnes and Kristine Marijan. He was preceded in death by a brother, Mark Paul "Jack" Carnes.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at 10:30 am in Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church, 280 N. Race St., Middletown with Rev. Timothy Sahd, his Pastor, as Celebrant. Burial will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery with full military honors. Viewing will be held on Tuesday from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in Wiedeman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 357 S. Harrisburg St., Oberlin and on Wednesday from 9:30 am until 10:30 am in the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dominic DiFranceso American Legion Post 594, 137 E. High St., Middletown, PA 17057 or PA State American Legion Baseball Program, 800 N. Front St, Wormleysburg, PA 17043 or Lebanon VA Hospice Unit, 1700 S. Lincoln Ave., Lebanon, PA 17042.