Otis Carney, 83; Ad Writer Who Later Penned Scripts, Books

Otis Carney, 83, an advertising writer and journalist who became a scriptwriter and author of such books as 1959’s “Yesterday’s Hero,” died Jan. 1 of cancer at his ranch in southeastern Arizona.

A native of Chicago, Carney graduated from Princeton and served as a Marine Corps pilot during World War II, earning five battle stars and a Presidential Unit Citation. He worked for J. Walter Thompson and other advertising agencies and contributed articles to newspapers including The Times, the Chicago Tribune and the Wall Street Journal.

Carney co-wrote his first book, “Love at First Flight,” with his friend, the late Charles Spalding, after they completed flight school in 1943. Among Carney’s 16 other books were “When the Bough Breaks” (1957), “Good Friday” (1963), “New Lease on Life” (1970) and “Chihuahua, 1916” (1980).

The writer’s television credits included such series as “Zane Grey Theater,” “Johnny Guitar,” “The Great Adventure” and “The Monroes.” He also co-wrote “Choice,” a political film for Sen. Barry Goldwater’s 1964 presidential campaign.