Alfred Milton Carley

ALFRED MILTON CARLEY
April 21, 1932 – Bismarck, North Dakota
Alfred Milton Carley, known to most as “Al,” was born during the Great Depression in Bismarck, North Dakota—a time when steady income was difficult to come by, especially without access to higher education in a metropolitan area. His father, Alva Carley, worked wherever he could and, at times, strayed from the law in an effort to provide. His mother, Cora (Swanson) Carley, was the family’s constant—working faithfully in the bakery of the well-known Patterson Hotel in downtown Bismarck.
Al was raised alongside his siblings—Bill, Bud, Art, Judy, Bette, Laverne, and Al—in a one–light bulb basement home on the outskirts of town. Evening meals were often day-old bread and soup made from whatever was available. To Al and his siblings, this life was normal; most children at their school came from farming families or city service workers, and few knew anything different.
As a boy, Al would watch aircraft pass overhead across “his” prairies, imagining who those elite people were and where they were going. Near the end of his schooling, he absorbed the blunt wisdom of the local prison work gang—men he rode with daily on a wagon headed to the fields, who dropped him and his siblings off at school along the way. Those conversations made a lasting impression. Al decided he wanted a different course in life.
He left school in the 11th grade, asked his mother to sign his U.S. Air Force enlistment papers, and was shipped to San Antonio, Texas, for basic training. There, Al’s natural mechanical aptitude stood out. He was selected for training as an aviation mechanic—what are now known as technicians. His skills soon took him to Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada, where he truly thrived with three hot meals a day, a warm bed, and proper clothing—no hand-me-downs.
Al rose through the ranks, earned distinction as a marksman shooter, and more. He was recruited by North American Aviation (NAA), later Rockwell, to begin his civilian career. He joined the Columbus, Ohio division of what quickly became CMH Rockwell. Al and his lifelong friend, Alvin M. Manter—whom he met during his Air Force service—relocated together to Columbus, living in the famed CMH Airport ATA Hangar 1 top apartments. While attending Broad Street Methodist Church, Al met Leila Shivley of Delaware, Ohio.
In 1955, Alfred and Leila were married. Together they raised three sons: Milton, Mark, and Mitch. Al found deep fulfillment in leadership and was a devoted provider, serving as an FAA-licensed Aircraft A&P / IA instructor at Columbus Technical Institute (CTI), now Columbus State Community College.
As a hobby Al would buy and rebuild wrecked aircraft while teaching his sons mechanical abilities...as he did the same with numerous homes and vintage vehicles.
While living in Westerville, Ohio, the family was actively involved in the community, including Little League, the Jaycee Pool, and as founding members of the Westerville Historic Society and the Arts Council of Westerville. The family has been lifelong members of the Church of the Messiah.
After Alfred’s retirement in 1989, he and Leila moved to Crossville, Tennessee, where they built a home and spent the next 22 years. During that time, they were active members of First United Methodist Church. One of Al’s many contributions was overseeing the expansion and continued maintenance of the church buildings.
Alfred is survived by his sons Milton (Sandra), Mark, and Mitch (Amy); grandsons Max and Travis (Samantha) Carley; his sister-in-law Karen (Shivley) Kuethers of Orlando, Florida; brother-in-law Jerry Shivley (Norma) of St. Petersburg, Florida; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Per his wishes, there will be no formal services. The family will gather privately in remembrance.
Leila and Alfred will be memorialized together at Blendon Central Cemetery in Westerville, Ohio.
In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor Al’s memory by supporting any mentoring program, church ministry, or community project close to your heart.