Obituary of Max M. Carnahan

Max was born January 12, 1925 to Marvin and Viola Carnahan, a pioneer Kennewick, WA family. He passed away December 28, 2010 in Tacoma. Max moved with his parents and sister, Marjorie to Yakima, WA at an early age. Upon graduation from Yakima Senior High school he joined the U.S. Maritime Service earning his Unlimited Marine Engineer's License and served until late 1946 when he enrolled at the University of Washington and affiliated with Theta Chi Fraternity. He enjoyed over 30 years in the finance and banking industry with a few years out to serve with the Army Finance Corps in Japan during the Koran conflict. He was associated with Commercial Credit Corp. in Seattle and Eugene, OR, Puget Sound National Bank, State Savings and Loan Ass'n, and National Bank of Washington in Tacoma. He then spent several years with Elliott Sales Corp. as manager of the Dots Tide Table books and calendars division. In early 1982, he and his wife, Enid, opened Bear Hugs, A Bear Emporium in University Place where they had lived with their family at Sunset Beach since 1955. They opened a branch store at Seaside, OR in1990. Max closed that store in 1997 a few years after Enid's death in 1995. He closed the University Place store in late 1998. Max was active in Masonic activities, serving as Master of Ancient Landmark Lodge #268 F&AM, member of Tacoma Lodge #4 RAM, 33rd Degree IGH and Secretary of the Tacoma Scottish Rite Bodies, member of Afifi Shrine, past member of Ct #104 Royal Order of Jesters, Past Sovereign and Treasurer of St. Alban Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine. Max particularly enjoyed his many years as co-trustee of the Irvine Trust for benefit of the Masonic Retirement Center of Washington. He was a Life Member of the VFW Post #10018 and a past member of BPOE #174. Survivors include his sister, Marjorie Krasky, his daughter Shawn White-Ingram (David) her son Brady White and step-son Joshua Ingram, daughter Erin Carnahan and her daughter Jamie McMurray, step-daughter Corinne Helgeson Baldwin (Robert) and her son Tim Helgeson and her daughter Teri Coombs, step-daughter Susan Stroble and her son Todd, and many nieces, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. At his request, no services will be held. Remembrances may be made to the Shriner's Hospital for Children, the Cancer Research Society, or charity of choice