John William Carey passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, April 24, 2013, with family present. He was 94 years old. Mr. Carey was preceded in death by his parents, Timothy and Mary Carey; sister, Bernice King; and daughter, Sharon Carey McDonald. Survivors include his wife, Gwendolyn Coan McDonald; his son- in-law, Michael G. (surviving spouse of Sharon Carey) McDonald; two grandsons, Michael D. McDonald (Jessica Eckles) and John M. (Rachel Hines) McDonald; and two great grandchildren, Spencer J. McDonald and Lillian C. McDonald.
John Carey attended grammar school at the Cathedral School for boys from 1924-1937. In 1937, he graduated from the McGill Institute, where he participated in football, baseball, and was captain of the basketball team. Mr. Carey remained an avid sports fan, and a passionate fan of the Braves, Saints, and Auburn Tigers.
Mr. Carey joined the army on October 23, 1941 in Fort McClellan, AL serving until an honorable discharge on September 25, 1945 in Fort McPherson in Atlanta, GA. He served with the 82nd and 17th Airborne Division, 507th Parachute Glider Infantry. He fought in four major campaigns in Europe; Normandy, Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge), Rhineland (Over the Rhine), and Campaign Germany. Corporal John Carey was awarded the Bronze Star by President George H. Bush along with the award for Good Conflict, Normandy, and Combat Infantry Medal. He worked for Ideal Cement Company (Holcim) for 35 years as a sales representative, retiring December, 1982. Mr. Carey was also a member of several Mystic Societies, the St Lukes Episcopal Church Men’s Club, Galvez Hall of Fame, and a charter member of Mobile Athletics (Green’s Hornets). His family was proud when John was privileged to be on the third Honor Flight from South Alabama to Washington D.C. in May, 2010.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from St. Dominic Catholic Church on Monday, April 29, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. with the Reverend James J. Cink as celebrant. Visitation will precede the service on Monday, April 29, 2013, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. with the rosary at 10:00 a.m. at St. Dominic Catholic Church. Interment will be in Mobile Memorial Gardens with full military honors.
Honorary pallbearers are Frank Mitternight, Dodd Ozment, Frank Barter, Pierre Grethen, Larry McCombs, Mike Rabbiete, David Emerson, Sidney W. Coan III, John Coan, Eddie Odom, Tom Sawyer, Bill Breamer, and Sam Fisher. Active pallbearers are Jimmie McDonald, Billy Tomberlin, Kyle Mitternight, Anthony Vella, C.U. Allenbach, Jeff Clayton, Jacob Godwin, and David Harbaugh.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Carey McDonald Scholarship Fund at 1501 Old Shell Rd., Mobile, AL 36604, St. Dominic Catholic Church, or a charity of your choice.
“Papa Jack”, as some would say, in our hearts you will always stay, loved and remembered every day.
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