Clyde Jackson Carey Jr.

1942 - 2022

(CJ) Clyde Key West - Carey Jackson Carey Jr C.J. ( Clyde Jackson) Carey, Jr. , passed away on 9/11/22, in Key West, surrounded by his loved ones, after a brief Illness.

C.J. was preceded in death by his father Clyde J Carey; his mother Concha (De Castro) Nordyke and stepfather Edgar Nordkye; daughter Tonya (Carey) Graybeal, stepson Kevin McHugh, nephew JD Kobezak; niece Rickie Lynn (Kobezak) Jernigan; and too, too many dear friends.

CJ is survived by his daughter Tosha (Carey) Pitts, sister Edna (Carey) Kobezak, brother Evelio Hernandez; step sister Mercedes Cruz, nephews Howard Hernandez and Kristian Hernandez, niece Kaylynn Hernandez, granddaughter Tyler Pitts, great nephews James and Jack Jernigan, dear friends Michael and Sue Jolly; and so many other wonderful friends and family.

Born on 6/7/1942 in Key West, CJ lived almost his entire life here, leaving only to serve his country as a firefighter in the US Marine Corp and then to work for the Merchant Marines on the salvage vessel the Cable, before settling into a civil service career as a crash crew firefighter for the US Naval Air Stations in Boca Chica and Key West, where he worked until retirement.

CJ was a real prankster and took great joy in playing tricks on everyone. He was a true conch, hard-shelled and stubborn, mostly Salty, but with a core of sweetness. If CJ loved you, you knew it! And if he didn't like you, well...you probably didn't like him either. He was without a doubt, the absolute best father two girls could ever ask for. The island is a little quieter without him and he will be dearly missed.