James B. Carnahan

James Carnahan, 68, Mexico Beach, Florida, died December 11, 2022, losing an 18-month-long battle with anal cancer. James grew up in Eastchester, New York and graduated from Eastchester High School. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1976 and was commissioned as an officer in 1988. He retired from the Navy in 1997 while assigned to the Joint Interagency Task Force (JIATF) East, Key West, Florida.

He began his Navy career as a qualified photo aircrewman in rotary and fixed wing aircraft, and ultimately became a Patrol Plane Mission Commander in the P-3 "Orion" aircraft, deploying with his crews around the world engaging in anti-submarine warfare. He was assigned to squadrons in Patrol Wing 5, Brunswick Maine, and Patrol Wing 11, Jacksonville, Florida, and flew missions in support of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.

While at JIATF East as the Command Duty Officer and Tactical Action Officer, he was credited with the historic apprehension of a fishing vessel carrying 11 tons of cocaine headed for the United States. He also directly contributed to the disruption and interdiction of more than 217 metric tons of cocaine, 88 metric tons of marijuana, the arrest of more than 444 smugglers, and the seizure of 93 vessels and aircraft, and was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal. His other awards include the National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, and U.S. Coast Guard Special Operations Service Ribbon.

Following his retirement from the Navy, James supported his wife’s career in natural resources administration throughout the United States, and enjoyed outdoor work from a campground in Utah to a marina in Maryland.

James earned a BS in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, and an AS in Computer Information Systems from Snow College, Richfield, Utah. He was also licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard as a Master Captain 100 Ton.

He is survived by his wife, Davida, Mexico Beach, and brothers Tom Carnahan, Oakland Maine, and Doug Carnahan, Greenbush, New York, and numerous nieces and nephews.

No services are planned at this time.

Arrangements are entrusted to the caring staff of Comforter Funeral Home in Port St. Joe, Florida.