Thousands of young people in Lansing were mentored, encouraged, and inspired by Rev. Dr. Clyde Carnegie, who died on May 11th surrounded by his family. Dr. Carnegie, the oldest of four children, was born on December 4, 1942 in Benton Harbor, Michigan. After graduating from Benton Harbor High School in 1961, he was accepted to Michigan State University. There he went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological and Physical Sciences, a Masters degree in School Administration, and a Doctoral degree in Administration and Higher Education.It was at Michigan State that he was initiated in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and met the woman who he would marry, Cynthia in 1964 and moved to Lansing in 1965. Dr. Carnegie was an educator for 36 years. His first job was teaching science at West Junior High School. Later he served as an assistant principal at Dwight Rich Junior High and as principal at Walter French Junior High School. He became the youngest principal of J.W. Sexton High School in 1980 where he worked for 22 years.
At the time of his death, he was serving on the Lansing Police Board of Commissioners. He was a chaplain for the Lansing Police Department and The Fire Department. He joined Lansing Rotary in 1982 and served as President in 1990-1991 and was appointed the District Governor for 6360 from 1994-1995. A former member of the Board of Directors of The American Red Cross, WKAR, and United Way, to name a few.
He was a member for 56 years of Friendship Baptist Church, during those years he was a Deacon, Associate Minister, and finally Pastor. His faith, belief and the word of God was paramount in his life. He lead by example.
Surviving to cherish his memories are his wife: Cynthia; two daughters, Alexis Carnegie-Dunham (Marvin) and Sheridan Hill (Warren); and the "Magnificent Seven" he referred to as his grandchildren.