Philip Byron Carnahan

phillip-carnahan

Veteran’s day 1982 will always be a special day to Dennis and Pat Carnahan of rural Vincennes, Indiana, as their oldest son Philip Byron Carnahan was born at Good Samaritan Hospital.  Thirty-five years, two months, and twenty-four days later, he passed away on February 4, 2018 at the same hospital after an eight month battle with cancer.  Philip, of Portland, Oregon and more recently, Vincennes, is survived by Dennis and Pat (Klein) Carnahan, John and Ashley Carnahan, Ben Carnahan, and two special nieces Ella Marie and Molly Kay Carnahan. In addition to his immediate family, he is also survived by his grandmothers Madge Brocksmith of Vincennes and Renee Klein of Jacksonville, Florida and close uncles, aunts and cousins on both sides of his family. Philip was preceded in death by his grandparents Lowell and Ruth Carnahan and Dr. H. Raymond Klein.

Philip is a graduate of South Knox High School, class of 2001, where he enjoyed playing basketball, soccer, and golf. An artist at heart, Philip graduated in 2005 from Indiana University with a double major of Studio Art and Art History.  He leaves behind many pieces of art in several media.

While he was an excellent partner on the family farm, his heart was always in art and helping people see the value of that in their lives. He therefore achieved a Masters Degree in Art Administration at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon, where he came to love the Oregon Ducks as much as his beloved Indiana Hoosiers.  His favorite artist was Raymond Saunders.

He loved following most sports and was very knowledgeable about the history and thrills of baseball, basketball, golf, and tennis. His last sports joy was watching Roger Federer win the 2018 Australian Open.  He never gave up on his St. Louis Cardinals, but he did become a Seattle Mariners fan while living in the great Northwest.  He kept a scorebook at every baseball game he attended whether at the college, minor or major league level.  He attended the Indianapolis 500 for many years, making it an annual priority to be there with his brothers.  He often spoke of getting quite sentimental when at the 500 he heard the singing of “Back Home Again in Indiana”.

He enjoyed traveling with friends and family.  He often recalled family trips across the US, an adventure to Japan with his brother Ben, going to France and England with his dad, and he made the rounds to almost all the major league baseball parks with family and friends.

Philip most recently shared his skills of art, computer graphics, web design, and data analysis at the Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland, Oregon where he was the Data Analyst in the Admissions Department.  Previously, he worked with the Oregon Wine Board where he combined his farming background, his art administration, and computer skills to help improve their marketing program.  He became a self-taught wine expert, and he could identify the best wines by virtue of the region in which they were produced.  He also designed logos and websites for a wine maker in Portland, and Knox County businesses– including his family’s farm website and blog.

Philip will be greatly missed by his family, his longtime South Knox and IU friends as well as very close acquaintances and comrades in Oregon where he lived for past four and a half years until his cancer diagnosis.  He spent the last eight months back home in Indiana with his family and close friends.  Philip was a gentle giant who loved to help and encourage others and he would want us to enjoy a beautiful sunset, our friendships and then smile and think of the joy he brought you.

Visitation will be at Wheatland Christian Church, 330 South State Road 550, Wheatland, Indiana from 3pm to 8pm Friday, February 16.  A Celebration of Philip’s Life will be conducted at the church on Saturday, February 17, at 10am.

The family asks that memorials and gifts in Philip’s name be made to:

Pacific Northwest College of Art

511 NW Broadway

Portland, OR  97209

www.pnca.edu