I honestly cannot believe I am doing this blog post in honor of my dad. He passed away on July 31, exactly two months to the day after my mom's passing. They had been married almost 61 years, so it's not surprising that their deaths were so close.
But this is tough......incredibly tough.
I was hoping to have more time with him after my mom's death, but his body just wore out.
Whereas with my mom's dementia I felt like I had "lost" her years ago, my dad
was alert and talking to me up to the day before his death.
John Lee Carey was born March 3, 1931 - at home!
Here he is with his parents, my grandparents Carey.
In Junior High in Independence, Missouri, where he grew up.
He and my mom were married on September 4, 1954.
My dad was in the Navy. They requested being sent to the
West Coast - hoping for California...........but got the Philippines Islands instead.!
That is where I was born.
My dad's college major was in architecture, and he soon had his own firm in Kansas City -
Fullerton, Carey, Oman, and Alexander, Inc.
In the 1980's my parents bought a beach lot on Longboat Key, Florida, and my dad
designed their home. Wow, what FABULOUS times we had there. The view of the Gulf
of Mexico was spectacular and the family times there were many.
Longboat Key is still my favorite place! - peace, solitude, tranquility, and family.
My dad loved to take his little sunfish the QE III out for a sail. Fun times......
I spent many hours with him on the sailboat - as we came in to shore, my job was always to get
the rudder up before we ran aground!
Uh, yes.......those were the days when suntans were cool!
First grandchild - Courtney!
Visits to Florida were fun! Kids on the beach are never bored!
Target practice with Jonathan, using the Red Ryder BB Gun!
Last picture taken before he went into the hospital. Joe, Courtney, and my dad spent the morning
together and had a great time over lunch before Courtney's flight headed back to Alabama.
So incredibly glad that she was able to come home over the Fourth........
I still can't believe he's gone.
He was a truly great man and a wonderful father to me.
I
I love you, Daddy.............
That's a beautiful tribute, Anne. It sounds like he was a very special man. I'm so sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteOh Anne! I am so sorry you are hurting so badly. I know the feeling of losing your dad so quickly and unexpectedly. I pray you let your Savior comfort you. What a wonderful post about your father. I would have loved to know him. Hugs to you my friend.
ReplyDeleteAw what a sweet post. That last picture, you look EXACTLY like him. I will sure miss Grandpa.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about both your mom and dad. Tried to track you down after I heard about your mom. I love these pictures and the sentiments written here! Come visit. I am back in the old house in OP.
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