Obituary for James Austin Carey

James Austin Carey’s earthly journey ended on November 20, 2010 when he went home to be with his Higher Power who had been part of his life since 1978. Jim and Mary Beth Bonnichsen Carey were lifetime residents of Columbus Junction, having been married 39 years. Jim was born on July 29, 1935 to Stanley Ketchel and Izola Estella Graham Carey. Four siblings later joined Jim, Judy Boyd of Grandview; Patsy Hartung of Sedalia, MO; Susan Ladd of Des Moines; and Anthony “Tony” Carey of Boone, NC. Jim’s early years were spent on Green Street, Muscatine, where cousins and friends were an important part of life. Ironically in 1935 Bill Wilson started an organization called Alcoholics Anonymous, Amelia Earhart flew the Pacific, The Dalai Lama, Elvis Presley, and Donald Sutherland were born, a Canada Dry bottle of pop cost 20 cents, and a gallon of gas cost 10 cents- all of which influenced Jim’s growing up years. Later the Carey family moved to Fredonia where Ketchel and Izola became part of the Fredonia store operation along with Jim’s grandparents Clyde and Effie Carey. Those years were filled with trips to Lagomarcinos to pick up groceries in the panel van. Jim spent hours in the grocery store, which was a mecca of broken cookies in the barrel, numerous lunchmeats in the case, ice cream bars, and all the free cream soda pop one could drink. James attended the Fredonia Country School, and then graduated from Columbus Junction High School in 1953. After graduation, Jim worked for the Iowa - Illinois Telephone Company for a short time before starting a life- long career with Iowa State Highway Commission, which later would become Iowa DOT. From 1958-1960 PFC Carey worked as a depot clerk stationed in Korea. Jim returned to DOT, working a record number of 47.75 years. As part of Jim and Mary Beth’s life together, they served as co- presidents of the Louisa County Historical Society; planned and escorted 125 bus trips. Jim also served as Fire Chief of the Columbus Benefited Fire District for one term, and was a member of the Columbus Junction United Methodist Church. As Jim enters his fifth season of his life, may the heavens provide birds to feed, mushrooms to hunt, creeks and streams to hike along, cultures to study, and movies to watch. Most importantly, Jim will be free of the Alzheimer’s and Lewy Bodies Parkinson’s diseases which have taken a great toll on the quality of his earthly life. Major caretakers in Jim’s later years have included his father- in- law Raymond Bonnichsen, Senior Resource Center, Carrington Nursing Home and All American Care all of Muscatine, and Beacon of Hope Hospice, Davenport. All improved Jim’s quality of life in a unique way. His legacy of good food, an unlimited vocabulary, helping hands, knowledge he bestowed upon anyone who would listen, and his strong belief in eternal life and the Grace of God will be missed by the love of his life, Mary Beth Carey and her family- Raymond Bonnichsen, Steve and Barb Bonnichsen, nieces and nephews and their children, Jason and Cynthia Randall and Addison and Brelynn, Heather (Randall) and Wes Wagner and Colton, Dagan, and Myles, and Stephani (Bonnichsen) and Charly Rife and Delaney and Kennedy all of the Letts and Columbus Junction area. A special niece, Christine Moran of Madrid, Iowa had made a special bond with Jim during his illness. Close friends Jerry and Marsha Gerot, Richard and Shirley Metzger, Jack and Shirley Samuels, Leo and Sara Hungate McCleary and Bob Schafer, along with many others, have given generously of their time and concern and have provided prayers and support throughout Jim’s illness. As per Jim’s wishes the body has been cremated with Iowa Cremation, Cedar Rapids. The Celebration of Life for Jim Carey will be at United Methodist Church in Columbus Junction on Monday night, November 29, 2010 with visitation from 3:30- 5:30 PM, service of Celebration at 6:00 PM, followed by soup and sandwiches. Rev. Al Coffin will be assisted with eulogists Earlene Lekwa, Tom McKay, and Stephani Bonnichsen Rife. Marsha Gerot will provide selections of music.