Frederick Michael "Mike" Carnes passed away peacefully on April 15, 2026.
He was born in Hamlet on Sept. 6, 1937 to William Capers Carnes Sr. and Sue Motley Carnes.
He graduated from Hamlet High School in 1955. Mike played football for four years where he lettered and was the captain of the football team his senior year.
After high school, he served his country by joining the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1964. After his military service, Mike went to work with the United States Postal Service where he worked for 40 years. He was a letter carrier for all those years.
Mike had a passion for physical fitness and lifted weights all his life. After retirement, Mike could be seen walking around the town of Hamlet and would walk his old postal routes as part of his daily workout.
He also enjoyed building different types of ships in his shop and had a number in his creations in his house. His love for the ocean was evident by the way he decorated his house with nautical items. Mike’s ashes will be buried at sea with full military honors. Mike was a friend to all, had a good heart, and was known for helping anyone if he could.
Mike is preceded in death by his father, William Capers Carnes Sr.,; his mother, Sue Motley Carnes; both his brothers, William Capers "Billy" Carnes Jr. and Richard W. "Dusty" Carnes; and his nephew William Capers "Pizzy" Carnes III.
Surviving are his sister, Mary Sue Carnes Ramsey; nephews, Bill Ramsey and Ricky Carnes; nieces, Donna Carnes Harris, Pammy Carnes Hayes, Susan Ramsey Fisher and Jill Carnes Parks; and a number of great-nieces and -nephews.
Online condolences may be made at watson-kingfuneralhome.com. Watson-King Funeral Home in Hamlet is serving the Carnes family.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the following veterans organizations Mike gave donations to every year. Please pick one and donate any amount in his memory, Frederick Michael Carnes, USN. These are his favorite organizations:
United States Navy Memorial
Visit: www.navymemorial.org
Click on Donate and scroll down to link, “Gifts in Honor of or Memory of” and type in Frederick Michael Carnes USN.
Click on “Make a Gift”
DAV-Disable American Veterans
Visit: www.dav.org
Click on “Donate Now”
Check the Box, “I would like to dedicate my Gift” and fill in the information
Tunnel to Towers Foundation
Visit: www.T2T.org
Click on “Donate Now”
Check the box, “Donate my donation in honor or memory of someone”
Wounded Warrior Project
Visit: supportwwp.org
Fill in the amount donating.
Check the Box, “Make this gift in honor or memory of and individual.”
Scroll down and fill in information, “Honor/Memory Acknowledgement Information.”
