Thomas Henry Carey, Sr.

Thomas Henry Carey of Raleigh, NC, died Wednesday, March 16, 2011, in the care of his endearing wife of 68 years, Frances Wham Carey. Survived by two sons, Thomas H.Carey, Jr. and wife Dale, of Cary, NC, and James M. Carey and wife Kathy of Newark, DE, and two daughters, Susan C. Koon and husband James F. Koon, III, of Wake Forest, NC, and Ginger C. Jacques and husband Danny Jacques, Jr. of Raleigh, NC. Grandchildren: Tim Strawbridge and wife Robbie of Wake Forest, NC, Elizabeth Strawbridge of Raleigh, NC and Ryan and Kimberly Carey of Newark, DE. Great grandchildren: George,Ben, Rhett, Riley and Savannah of Wake Forest, NC. Deceased siblings are George T. Carey, Jr., James R. Carey, Frances C. Cansler, and Virginia C. Stokes. Tom was born August 19, 1918 in Charlotte, NC, to the elders George Thomas Carey and Sylverius Reynolds Carey. Tom was a graduate of The Citadel, Charleston, SC, Class of 1940, and began a 38-year career with E.I. Dupont de Nemours. Married sweetheart, Frances, on Sept. 12, 1942. Embarked on the "darkened" Queen Mary for England in 1943 as a Company Comander Ordnance Officer. June 20, 1944 landed in Normandy. Arrived as the first American in Versailles and missioned through France, Belgium and Germany. Was at Tempelhof Airdrome for first changing of the guard. July 1945 entered the hollowed an pocked Reich chancellery and exited the war's end December 1945. Embarked on the "lighted" Queen Mary for NYC to reunite with his peace bride, Frances, and formative family. Retiring Lt. Col. US Army. Tom was an archetypal husband, father and iconic family man. Born in the era of WWI, raised during the Great Depression and soldiered in WWII, he was chastened by experience yet emboldened by songs of peace. Into a gentleman of honor, discipline and integrity, was woven a husband and father with a consuming love of family. This evocative and resolute man was spirited by innate purpose to lead with moral and ethical clarity. Indomitable will, yet unassuming, he imparted learned wisdom by example and action. His travels were few, his dreams of adventure unselfishly bound by his devotion to family. Marked by profound sense of duty, obligation and sacrifice, Tom bestowed his family and country an inspired legacy of love. A victorious outcome for the August lion. Our sincerest appreciation to Dr. Joshua Garriga and Hospice of Wake County. Memorial donations may be made to St. Catherine Siena Catholic Church, Wake Forest, NC. The relatives and friends of Thomas H. Carey, Sr. are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM, Monday, March 21, 2011 at the Summerall Chapel on The Citadel campus. The Rite of Committal will be held in Holy Cross Cemetery, James Island. Local arrangements are by the JAMES A. MCALISTER FUNERAL HOME, 1620 Savannah Hwy. Charleston, (843) 766-1365. Mr. Carey's guest book may be signed online at www.jamesamcalister.com.