Mike Carnahan, a longtime member of IBEW Local 48, died Nov. 11 following a lengthy battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was 66.
Carnahan joined Local 48 as an apprentice in January 2000. He was active in the union, and served on the board of directors of the IBEW and United Workers Federal Credit Union starting in 2011. He was the elected treasurer of the credit union at the time of his death.
Michael H. Carnahan was born March 23, 1953, in San Luis Obispo, California, and moved as a young boy with his family to Salem, Oregon, where he attended school and graduated from McNary High School.
He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served four years as a medic stateside during the Vietnam War at March Air Force Base (now known as March Air Reserve Base) in Riverside County, California.
After leaving the service he moved to Corvallis and studied at Oregon State University. In 1980, he moved to Battle Ground, Washington, where he owned a small construction contracting company.
He married his wife of 24 years, Cindy Gibson, in 1995.
At age 47, he entered the NECA-IBEW apprenticeship program. He retired in 2013 when he was diagnosed with ALS.
He is survived by his wife, Cindy, a brother Kris, and nephew Tyler, who live in Alaska
At his request, no service will be held.
Remembrances can be made to the ALS Association, 700 NE Multnomah St, Ste 210, Portland, OR 97232.
