Carl Eugene Laney was born in Ipswich, South Dakota on March 18, 1922. He was the fourth child of Carl and Harriet Laney. He was known as “Eugene” by his family and early friends. It was in the Navy that he became known by his first name, “Carl.” After graduating from Yakimah High School in 1940, Carl entered a program in Forestry at the University of Washington. His academic career was interrupted by WWII. On September 23, 1943, he entered the Navy to become a Naval Aviator.
It was during his time in the Navy that Carl met Miss Clyde Chivers, who was destined to become his wife. They were married at in Dublin, Geogia on March 5, 1947. After their wedding Carl was assigned a tour of duty in Panama where he flew in a squadron of P2-V’s involved in anti-submarine warfare and patrol. After being discharged from the Navy, the Laneys returned to Georgia where their first child, John Carl Laney II, was born. In the fall of 1949 the Laneys returned to Seattle so that Carl could finish up his degree in Forestry at the University of Washington.
Upon graduating from the University in 1951, Carl joined the laboratory staff of Reichhold Chemical Company. In 1953 the Laneys moved to Eugene, Oregon. Carl advanced through a number of technical sales-service and sales-management positions with R.C.I. working in the area of adhesives for the Forest Products Industry. His expertise in the area also led to his being called upon to assist in the promotion of R.C.I. products nationally and internationally. He traveled to Japan, the Philippines, Germany and Russia in his work for Reichhold.
Carl concluded his career at Reichhold serving as vice President and General Manager of the Adhesive and Binder Business in the Forest Products Division. In 1987 Carl retired from his career in sales to devote himself to managing his rental property and enjoying times with his family at their beach house in Yachats. Carl remained in good health until the summer of 2015 when he began a rapid decline. He passed away October 20th, 2015.
Carl was predeceased by his son, Otis in 1972 and his wife, Clyde in 2011. He is survived by his four children: J. Carl Laney (Portland, OR), Robert (Pleasant Hill, OR), Jenny (Eugene, OR) and Stewart (Corvallis, OR), fifteen grandchildren and more than a dozen great-grandchildren.
To watch a short memorial video of the life of Carl Eugene Laney, Click here.
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