Harold Carnahan

H. Ross Carnahan, 79, passed away at 5:15 am on July 21, 2022, at IU Health University Hospital in Indianapolis, IN. Ross was born on April 15, 1943, in Vincennes and he was the son of Welker Lowell and Ruth (Byrd) Carnahan. Ross was a graduate of Fritchton High School where he excelled in basketball. He was proud of the fact that he received the 2012 Outstanding Fritchton Alumnus Award. He went on to complete an agriculture short course degree at Purdue University. Ross was a leader on the farm and worked with his dad Lowell throughout his younger years and became a partner with him in 1964. After the farm was incorporated in 1977 as Carnahan & Sons, Inc., Ross took on an even greater role. He was comfortable as the ‘field general', directing each day's field operations. He was an informed and skilled marketer of the farm's grain. He was an expert mechanic; when any machine gave a problem, he was the first person to contact about how to make it operate again. He was also a skilled operator of the farm's machines. When operating anything from a tractor to a combine and everything in between, you could regard him as an expert and professional. He always brought a cooperative attitude to the day's work, and he made an effort to see others around him succeed. He could be stern, when necessary, but he was generally affable. With Ross' leadership, Carnahan & Sons received recognition over the years. In 1983, the farm was national runner-up for Farm Futures Magazine "Best Managed Farms" award. Carnahan & Sons twice hosted the Indiana State Soil Judging contest for high school ag students. In 2011, the farm was honored by the Knox County Soil and Water Conservation District at the "Conservation Farmer of the Year". Later that same year, Purdue University Ag Economic Department visited Carnahan & Sons on the annual Farm Management Tour. In 2015, Purdue's College of Agriculture featured Ross in a video that promoted the college. Ross was actively farming with his brother Dennis, his nephew John and his grandson Brandon and he took great pride in the agriculture profession. He had a passion for horses and an unparalleled skill for teaching others, people of all ages, but especially kids. He held pole bending clinics throughout the country, including Alaska, Maine, Arizona and others. He was an icon in the horse industry, and enjoyed sharing his knowledge with everyone. Ross was a thirteen-time American Quarter Horse Association Pole bending World Champion. Ross was the very first person inducted into the National Pole Bending Hall of Fame. Ross' silhouette is featured as the official logo of the National Pole Bending Association. He was also very involved in horse breeding for over twenty years, producing many champions. Ross was kind and genuinely cared and was sincere to everyone he met. Many of those he taught went on to great success and always credited Ross. Ross' sister, Sheila remembers her brother as being a skilled and consummate teacher. Some of Ross' other passions were Purdue basketball and St. Louis Cardinal Baseball. Most importantly though, his children and his grandchildren were Ross' number one priority. He really enjoyed the many years he helped his son Dirk coach basketball and he was referred to by the kids as Coach Grandpa. From young to old Ross Carnahan has had a tremendous impact on so many people and he will deeply be missed by everyone who met him. Survivors include his wife Rhoda Carnahan of Vincennes, who he adored and built a great life with; his children, Dirk Carnahan and his wife Rachel of Vincennes, Kris Carnahan-Kelley and her significant other Marty Mason of Vincennes, Travis Woodard and his wife April of Fairbanks, IN, Tyler Woodard and his significant other Cassie of Huntingburg, IN; brother, Dennis Carnahan and his wife Pat of Vincennes, sister, Sheila Hobson and her husband John of Rising Sun, IN; his grandchildren, Payton Carnahan and his wife Joyce, Haley Kelley and her significant other Todd Autio, Hope Kelley, Brandon Knight and his wife Emily, Megan Howard, Hendrix Carnahan, Welker Carnahan, Ashton Woodard, Taylor Woodard, Bella Woodard; his great grandchildren, Raelynn Howard, Hudson Knight; and the mother of Dirk and Kris, Jane Carnahan of Wheatland. Ross is preceded in death by his parents, Lowell and Ruth Carnahan, his nephew Philip Carnahan, and his second wife Doreen and her daughter Chrissy. Friends may visit with the Carnahan family from 2-8 pm on Tuesday, August 2, 2022, at Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home, 524 Broadway, Vincennes, IN. The Carnahan family has requested that anyone coming to pay their respects to please come dressed in casual attire, as that is what Ross would have wanted. Online memories may be shared with the Ross's family and friends at www.goodwinsievers.com. In lieu of flowers the Carnahan family has requested memorial contributions be made to the South Knox FFA. He loved farming and this community of good people. There will also be a CELEBRATION OF A LIFE WELL LIVED held at Carnahan and Sons Inc., 9809 E Wheatland Road, Vincennes, IN 47591 on Saturday August 6th, 2022, from noon-5 pm. All are welcome! Please bring a lawn chair and a story. Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home is privileged and honored to be entrusted with the care of Ross and his family.