Garry Don Carney was born on January 4, 1947 to Hugh and Elva Deickman Carney in Leedey, Oklahoma and departed this life on September 15, 2012 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was a fourth generation Dewey Countian since his great-grandparents moved to Dewey County before 1920.

Garry attended and graduated from Leedey Public School where he participated in FFA, 4-H and as a sophomore played on the Leedey High School basketball team which reached the State Tournament. Garry made his profession of faith at the First Baptist Church in Leedey as a teenager. After high school graduation he attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University for two years on a tuition scholarship and later Oklahoma State University where he majored in animal husbandry.

He was preceded in death by his parents Hugh and Elva Carney, by his older brother Norval (Bud) Carney and his wife Patricia Shaw Carney, his brother-in-law Jay Cravens, his grandparents Ed and Mattie Carney, and John and Augusta Deickman, early day settlers of the Putnam Community.

Garry is survived by his three sisters, Myrna Carney of Norman, Marilyn Harrel and her husband, Jimmy of Weatherford and Glenda Cravens of Putnam. Surviving nieces and nephews include Randy Cravens and his wife Karen of Clinton, Monty Cravens and wife Lisa of Thomas, Keela Harrel Terry and husband David of Weatherford, and Serena Carney Kauk and husband Michael of Bartlesville. Great nieces and nephews are Matthew (wife Julie) and Jeanie Cravens, Ryan and Taylor Terry, Slaydon (wife Sarah), Stetson and Jaydrian Cravens and Kirsten and Kirt Kauk Surviving great nephew and great niece are Wyatt Cravens and Addison Cravens.

Garry's passion and lifetime career was spent in his love of horses and horse-racing. His keen knowledge of horses was passed down from his father Hugh, his grandfather Ed, and his brother Bud. He was known throughout the area as an outstanding horseman, trainer and the best farrier. Farmers, ranchers and horse trainers frequently remarked, "if you wanted a horse shod correctly and to fit, you called Garry Carney who always made sure you were pleased with the job."

One of the things he was most proud of was finding and training the 17 hand thoroughbred California race horse (Might Tango). He sold it to Bobby Tindle from Pennsylvania to later be ridden by Bruce Davidson (the first person to win the individual world event, championship twice and a former US Olympian) in the 1978 World Equestrian Championship in Kentucky. This horse has been listed as one of the top 50 equestrian horses of the 20th century. As a result, the Breyer company sold models of this horse in gift shops across the country.

His horse-racing career was spent in New Mexico, Texas, Nebraska and Michigan. The pictures of his race winners were his pride and joy and many were hung on his living room wall for his personal enjoyment and remembrances. He loved to tell the stories of the races and the pedigrees of these horses.

He loved to hunt quail and his nephews have many fond memories of going to Leedey to the Carney place to hunt with their dad Jay, their grandfather Carney, their uncles Bud and Garry.

He will be greatly missed and may he forever rest in peace,

Services are at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 18, 2012. They will be held at the First Baptist Church in Leedey.