Jerry was my speech therapist when I was a student at Halstead Kansas High School 1957-1961. He was a wonderful therapist and man. He helped me a great deal. Younger brother of the Pizza Hut cofounders, Jerry would bring several slices of pizza to several of our therapy sessions in Halstead. Unforgetable person. I was fortunate to have known him. His death brings tears to my eyes as I write these words.
Dr. Patrick "Jerry" Carney
May 30, 1936 ~ August 28, 2025
Dr. Patrick “Jerry” Carney of Knoxville, TN entered eternal life on August 28, 2025. He was born on May 30, 1936 in Wichita, Kansas to Mary Frances and Michael Carney. He served as Professor and Department head at University of Tennessee Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology from 1986-2003. He was president of the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) in 1991.
Jerry graduated from Wichita State University in 1958 where he met Nyla Stegman. They married in 1959. After working at Pittsburg State University from 1963 to 1965, he and Nyla moved their family to the University of Iowa where he received his PhD in Speech-Language Pathology in 1969. In 1971, they moved to Knoxville. Jerry was passionate about teaching, establishing and ensuring professional standards in audiology and speech pathology, and helping others. He received many professional awards and accolades including the Communication Sciences and Disorders Outstanding Alumni Award from Wichita State University.
Jerry’s other passions included playing tennis; officiating NCAA collegiate tennis games; attending UT’s football, basketball and Lady Vols games; church ministries for John XXIII; telling jokes; and spoiling his grandchildren.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 66 years, Nyla Stegman Carney; and his loving family: children, Debbie Danbury (Randy), Michael (Angie), Kevin (Catherine) and Dana Sherrod (John); grandchildren, Erin Carney, John Carney (Haley), Sean Carney (Aria Yuchuan), Matt Carney, Ryan Sherrod and Madi Sherrod.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Frances and Michael Carney; brothers, Frank and Joe; sister, Patricia Hansen; brothers-in-law, Paul Skolaut, Jerry Jonas, Hans Hansen and John Reals; and sisters-in-law, Bev Carney, Jama Carney, and Mary Bussey. He is survived by siblings, Mary Ann Skolaut, Dan Carney (Gayla), Sally Jonas, Sharon Bishop, Colleen Reals, Peter D. Carney (Debbie), Eileen Nevers (Larry), Mike Carney; and in-laws, Michael Stegman (Dottie), Kevin McKinney (Jerry), and Jim Bussey.
Memorial Mass will be at 11:00 am, Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. The Mass will be live streamed and can be viewed by clicking “Watch” below. Inurnment will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation and lunch will be in the Bishop’s Hall at Blessed Sacrament after the inurnment.
Jerry was a devoted member of St. John XXIII parish in Knoxville. In lieu of flowers, family is requesting that donations be made to St. John XXIII, 1710 Melrose Place, Knoxville, TN 37916 or online at www.John23rd.org; or online to the Paulist Fathers at www.paulist.org.
Services in care of Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.
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Services
Funeral Mass: Tuesday, September 9, 2025 11:00 am
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
124 N. Roosevelt St.
Wichita,, KS 67208
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2025-09-09 11:00:00
2025-09-09 11:00:00
Dr. Patrick"Jerry"CarneyFuneral Mass
Funeral Mass
124 N. Roosevelt St.,Wichita,, KS 67208
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