SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Sharon Carnahan, wife of Zonar's Don Carnahan, passes away

Sharon provided invaluable assistance to Don in his years in the pupil transportation industry, from editing documents to preparing proposals.

August 4, 2010
2 min to read


RENTON, Wash. — Sharon Joy Carnahan, 70, died on July 26 after a struggle with brain cancer.

Carnahan was married for more than 50 years to Don Carnahan, vice president of business development at Zonar Systems and a former state pupil transportation director.

Ad Loading...

As noted in her obituary, Sharon and Don did everything from camping, hunting, snowmobiling and riding motorcycles to extensive traveling around the U.S., Scotland and Yugoslavia together.

Sharon provided invaluable assistance to Don in his years in the pupil transportation industry, from editing documents to preparing proposals.

She worked at Boeing for 35 years before retiring in 1995. Later she worked part time for Zonar Systems before retiring again in 2008.

She is survived by her husband, her three daughters, two sisters, and eight grandchildren. There will be a viewing on Aug. 6 from noon until 6 p.m.

Sharon's funeral will be held Aug. 7 at noon. Both will be at Greenwood Memorial, 350 Monroe Ave, NE, Renton, Wash. A graveside service will immediately follow. A celebration of Sharon's life will be held at 20245 SE 192nd St. in Renton, following interment.

Ad Loading...

Condolences in the online guestbook have been left by many members of the school bus industry, including the staff and board of directors of the Pupil Transportation Safety Institute; Peter Manella, executive director, New York Association for Pupil Transportation; Peter Lawrence, director of transportation, Fairport (N.Y.) Central School District; Launi Schmutz, director of transportation, Washington County (Utah) School District; and Alex Robinson, school transportation industry veteran.

Topics:Management

More Management

Multiple generations of the Kobussen family posing in front of a school bus.
ManagementAugust 3, 2026

Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Nearly 90 Years of Safely Transporting Wisconsin Students

From one farmer's act of service to a fourth-generation family business, Kobussen Buses reflects on nearly 90 years of earning the trust of Wisconsin families.

Read More →
Graphic for School Bus Fleet's "Changing Lanes" July 2026 personnel roundup featuring headshots of six industry professionals: Jamie Smith (AMF Buns), Dan Strock (Pro-Vision), Kyndra Webb (HopSkipDrive Council), Jared Schnader (CALSTART), Alycia Gilde (CALSTART), and Micah Enterz (Kooner Fleet Management Solutions), displayed on an orange geometric background.
Managementby StaffJuly 31, 2026

Changing Lanes: AMF Bruns, Pro-Vision, CALSTART, HopSkipDrive, & Kooner

Check out who's been hired, promoted, and appointed to leadership positions at various school transportation industry suppliers and nonprofits.

Read More →
Promo graphic for the 18th National Congress on School Transportation, featuring a conference audience background and text reading “May 4–6, 2029, St. Louis, Missouri,” alongside the NCST logo.
Managementby Staff and News ReportsJuly 29, 2026

NCST Announces 18th Congress Event Dates, New Committees

The National Congress on School Transportation moves to St. Louis in May 2029, convening delegates and industry representatives to discuss new best practice recommendations. Now, the new committee chairs have been named.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Two school buses parked in front of the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum in Denver.
Managementby Amanda HuggettJuly 28, 2026

Key Moments from the 2026 NSTA Annual Meeting in the Mile High City

From federal policy updates and OEM presentations to speed networking and industry awards, see photos and highlights from the contractor association’s summer conference in Denver.

Read More →
A HopSkipDrive caregiver waits by an open car door in front of a house.
Managementby Elora HaynesJuly 27, 2026

HopSkipDrive Launches Spanish-Language App Update, Plans Additional Language Support

The update aims to improve communication with multilingual families by offering ride tracking, notifications, and support in Spanish, with more languages planned for the 2026-2027 school year.

Read More →
A yellow school bus is parked outside a school beneath a large oak tree with blooming white blossoms, framed by white buildings and a bright blue spring sky.
Managementby Amanda HuggettJuly 27, 2026

Where the Yellow Bus Takes Us: School Bus Fleet's 2026 Photo of the Year Winners

See the winning photos from School Bus Fleet's 2026 Photo of the Year contest, featuring stunning school bus images from across the U.S., from scenic landscapes to everyday moments.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic for a School Bus Fleet article titled "Understanding Emotional Intelligence," featuring wooden letter blocks spelling "IEQ" and the subtitle, "Tips for transportation leaders to stay calm in any situation."
Managementby Amanda HuggettJuly 26, 2026

Why Emotional Intelligence Matters in Student Transportation

Learn the five key elements that bus drivers and transportation directors can use to stay calm in any situation.

Read More →
Zonar Back to School Readiness Report for 2026
SponsoredJuly 23, 2026

2026 Back-To-School Readiness Report

Staffing gaps, flat budgets, and the distance between “mostly prepared” and ready for the 2026-2027 school year.

Read More →
Collage highlighting recipients of the 2026 National School Transportation Association awards at the Annual Meeting and Convention in Denver
Managementby Amanda HuggettJuly 23, 2026

National School Transportation Association Presents 2026 Award Winners

Twenty-one individuals and contractor companies were recognized for excellence in student transportation at NSTA's annual meeting and convention in Denver.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A South Carolina Public Schools school bus lineup with text reading "How To Make Routing Data Persuasive."
Managementby Elora HaynesJuly 21, 2026

School Transportation Data Is Only as Powerful as the Story It Tells

Leaders say turning operational metrics into student-centered narratives can help districts justify investments and improve service.

Read More →