Carl Edney

Published 10:28 am Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Carl Edney, 92, passed away on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.

Born and raised in Polk County, NC, he was the son of the late James Marvel Edney and Helen Caroline Morton Edney and one of ten children. He graduated from Tryon High School in 1951. Following high school, he joined the United States Air Force. Carl served during the Korean Conflict and was based in Japan. After the Korean Conflict, he returned to Polk County and married Barbara Ruth Mills Edney in 1954. In 1957, after serving six years, he completed his time in the Air Force and then completed his business degree. The same year, Carl and Barbara started their family, and Carl started his business, Edney’s Garage, specializing in Volkswagen repair.  

In 1969, Carl invented the world’s first electric golf caddy, the Kangaroo Kaddy. During this time, he also started his second business, Gan-Ed. About four years later, Gan-Ed moved from the Pacolet Valley in Tryon to Columbus, NC. He later sold Gan-Ed, which became Kangaroo Kaddy, which is still operational today.  

Carl was an EMT-I and a lifetime member of the Polk County Rescue Squad, serving for 51 years, including two years as captain.  Carl and Barbara were members of Tryon Seventh-Day Adventist Church for 60 years.

In addition to his wife and parents, Carl was preceded in death by five siblings.

Surviving are four children, Dr. Steve Edney (Venecia) of Polk County, NC, Dr. Richard Edney (Dina) of Henderson County, NC, Tony Edney of Polk County, NC, and Dr. Julie Tullock (Tim) of Henderson County, NC; seven grandchildren, Lacy, Starla, Elizabeth, Zachary, Chad, McKenzie, Madeleine, and six great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers, Carroll (Boonie) Edney and Douglas Edney, and two sisters, Shirley Ann Edney Harris and Bonnie Edney Pendleton.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at Tryon SDA Church, 2820 Lynn Rd, Tryon, NC 28782.

The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com

McFarland Funeral Chapel

Tryon