Donald Lee Carney
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Lawrence — The Don Carney story ended Friday, March 3, 2023, in a Lawrence hospital, after 87-years in the making.
Don was a retired circus acrobat and a retired gymnastics coach. He also retired as a custodian with Chicago public schools. He was a retired beer connoisseur, too, upon the recommendation of his doctor.
Donald Lee Carney was born Oct. 2. 1935, in Lawrence, to Jesse James and Fern Schultz Carney. He attended Lawrence schools. He joined the Navy after high school. Long story short, that episode of his life didn’t produce the intended results. He went to The University of Iowa not long after that and joined the gymnastics team.
Don was about the best trampolinist in the world and nearly caught the attention of a national television audience on two occasions. But bigger news preempted his appearances. The first time, Alcoa Aluminum introduced the nation to its pop top aluminum beer can. The second time was the day Richard Nixon resigned.
His coaching career started in an Iowa City bar. His Hawkeye teammates knew where to go to find him. He was wearing his tattered Iowa letter jacket in Joe’s Bar when he got recruited to coach with a gymnastics club in Chicago. The rest is history. He went on to own and co-own other gymnastics clubs and work gymnastics clinics across the country. He served as an assistant at the University of Illinois Circle Campus in Chicago. His coaching and the work he did to develop competition was recognized with an induction into the Illinois USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame. But his wardrobe lacked the sartorial look event attendance demanded.
Survivors include his former wife, Anita Marz, and his daughter, Monique McDonald, both in Bettendorf, Iowa; and grandchildren, Eli, Nashville; and Ella, Iowa City; two sisters, Stella Lockard, Tecumseh, and Jo Anne Connell, Shawnee; and a brother, Jesse “Buster” Carney, Lawrence.
A graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Monday, March 6, at Memorial Park Cemetery in Lawrence.
Memorial contributions may be made to the University of Iowa College of Education and sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.
Oh Donald! I was a former gymnast of Donald’s in the mid 70’s during my high school years. Will never forget his laid back approach to coaching and how much fun it was. Tasted my first beer with him after a full bar routine on a hot summer evening. Will also never forget the dog he found and brought back to the gym. He named it “damn it” just because it was fun to say. Glad he lived a long life and made it back home to Lawrence to be with his family. Thank you for the wonderful experiences and especially the fun! RIP
I was so sad to hear about Donald’s passing. He was so much more than a coach to me. He was a father figure, my protector, and a mentor. I came to meet Donald at Gymnastics Unlimited in 1970. Donald took me under his wing and brought me everywhere. I can remember road trips to Iowa, Indiana, Michigan etc… we (myself and Melanie , Linda, or Sandy…) would just pack a bag and get in the back of the station wagon. 4 beer stops ( for Donald of course) and 3 bathroom breaks later we were there! Years later When Donald left to open Gym Forum I followed…. I taught recreational classes for him to earn my keep, so that I could continue to train with him until my career around 1980. But that didn’t sever our relationship. We remained close and saw each other fairly often. We would get together on occasion at Shakey’s pizza with all of my teammates and dearest friends ( Gina Reale, Linda Piet, and Sandy Mendenhall ) or at various a gymnastics meets. Donald and I even went to the U.S. Secret Classic about 8 years ago, and I’m so glad we did! I was amazed that we still knew everything that the girls were doing! He knew the sport of Gymnastics better than anyone! On a side note… One of the funniest moments that Donald and I shared was when I was in the middle of a beam routine during a Competition, and we were having a conversation. Donald kept telling me to get off the beam, and I kept saying “No” I’m not finished. Actually, that wasn’t unusual for us, there were a lot of arguments. He would get so mad at me for not trying something new on vault, or on bars that he would do it himself, just to prove that I was being a baby, and that he still could!!! Have you ever seen a 50 year ole man throw a tsukahara on vault??! Anyway, I also loved the sport of Gymnastics and are so happy that I was able to spend all of those years with one of the Greats! They were truly the best years of my life.
Donald you will always hold a special place in my heart.
Love you, RIP
Gina “P”
Monique,
What a wonderfully written memorial.
I am so glad we finally got to meet and as the Universe would expect share a beer with Family at Joe’s Place.
I would not be here if not for your father and his friendship with mine.
It is hard be the offspring of a legend, Uncle Carney definitely WAS/IS one.
I look forward to Celebrating Don’s life and legend with you this summer in Chicagoland.
Love, your brother from another mother,
Jerome Boulton
(510)761-5772
My condolences to Donald’s family.
He will be missed by many. He impacted so many aspiring gymnasts and he was way ahead of his time as a coach. The way he rigged the men’s highbar from the ceiling was genius! He was teaching the female gymnast giants before anyone else. He was definitely a fun person and so many memories that make me smile. I feel fortunate to have had him in my life and I will miss him and his smile.
RIP Donald. You were one of a kind!
Sincerely,
Nadine Palmer-Harrer