Larry Joe Carey

Larry Joe Carey Larry “Joe” Carey, 74, died peacefully at his home on December 20, 2016. He was born on July 17, 1942 in Picher, Oklahoma to Mildred Leona Kennedy and James Howard Carey. He graduated from Picher High School in 1960 and enlisted in the US Navy on June 6, 1960, serving his Country for a total of 3 years, 20 days. He served at the US Naval Station in Keflavik, Iceland as an aircraft Mechanic Apprentice, where in his words, his primary duty was “de-icing the planes.” Joe told many stories about Iceland, including how he and his Naval buddies had to dye the bed sheets with black dye and hang them up in the windows, so they could sleep at night, because it was “daylight all the time.” He was discharged with Honors on June 6, 1963, when he received word from home that his mother has passed away. Joe worked for Bendix of Kansas City, MO for a number of years; he helped close the very last zinc mine in Picher, OK, in the late 1960’s, then during the early 1970’s, moved to Broken Arrow, OK, became and invested over 22 years as an Area Supervisor for Goldie’s Patio Grill. He often bragged about the fact that during all of those years, he only missed one day of work. After leaving Goldie’s, he was employed by Bama Foods in Owasso, OK, on the food production line, until his retirement, after over 11 years of service, in 2008. Joe is preceded in death by his parents, James Howard and Mildred Leona Carey of Picher, OK; brother James Howard Carey, Jr. (known as Jr.) of Bartlesville; brother of Richard Lee Carey of Kansas City, MO; brother Donald Ray Carey of Salt Lake City, UT; sister Doris Imogene Carey of Picher, OK; sister Sharon Kay Staley of Colorado Springs, CO; sister Marjorie Sue Reeves of Picher, OK; and brother Kenneth Leroy, (infant) of Picher, OK; He is survived by wife of 19 years, Darla Carey, of Tulsa, OK; daughter, Kristi Carey of Wagoner, OK; three sons that he helped raise over the years: Raymond Morris of Broken Arrow, OK; Randy Carey of Broken Arrow, OK; and Steven Bogle (wife Christina) of Skiatook, OK; and 5 grandchildren: Aaron McHenry, Tayah McHenry, Ray Ochoa all of Wagoner, OK; and Cadence Kinney, & Abigail Bogle both of Skiatook, OK; One surviving brother, Robert Wayne Carey (wife Carlene) of El Paso, TX; Brother in law Danny Meyers (wife Robin) of Broken Arrow, OK; Brother in law Randy Bogle (wife Kathy) of Sand Springs, OK, and many nieces and nephews; whom he thought of as his own children. Joe was involved in many Community Projects over the years, such as Park Clean-Up events, Neighborhood Association meetings, Teens Against Crime Organizations, and working the booths at the Tulsa State Fair, with his wife. His favorite volunteer job was through the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). Through RSVP, Joe worked for several years as an Airport Ambassador on Saturday afternoons, at the Tulsa International Airport. At the Information Desk, he would greet patrons before departure and after arrival to the proper concourses, baggage claim, the coffee shop, or nearest hotel. He would hand out snacks, information packets, maps of the City, or rental car company. He often said his favorite part of the job was that he could “tell people where to go.” There will be a celebration of his life on Friday, January 20, 2017 @ 2pm, at Serenity Funerals and Crematory, 4170 East Admiral Place, Tulsa, OK, including flag presentation ceremonies, in his honor by the U.S. Navy and the Patriot Guard Riders. Homily worship provided by Rose Rock Hospice of Tulsa. Family members invite offerings of food and fellowship immediately following. Joe’s ashes will be interned at the Fort Gibson National Cemetery on his 75th birthday, July 17, 2017.

Tributes

Larry Joe Carey

January 10, 2017