Carl Handy

Carl Handy, 80, of Turlock, CA passed away on Sunday, January 28, 2024.
Carl Douglas Thompson was born to Ruby Mae Thompson on October 28, 1943 in Catlettsburg, KY. Ruby was an unwed teenager struggling to provide for Carl, so when he was almost 4 years old, she allowed her aunt Nancy, an older, childless woman, to adopt Carl. Nancy J. Wells-Handy and her husband, Ralph D. Handy modified their son's name to 'Carl Ralph Handy.'
The next four years were a wonderful time in Carl's life and he often retold stories of the good times he had with Ralph and Nancy - and his pony - on the family ranch in Donna, TX, a border town just a few miles north of the Rio Grande River. His parents fell on hard times and the couple split. In Carl's own words, "Nancy and I hit the road for California and we became Fruit Tramps!" When Carl was 13 years old, he and Nancy settled down in Turlock, CA where he would spend much of his life.
Carl joined the Army in January of 1966 and completed two tours of duty in Viet Nam in 1967. After returning home, he met Jennifer L. Sholer, and in February of 1970, they wed and had a daughter, Alicia, in 1972. By day, Carl did sheet metal work for Thorson's, and by night, he attended classes to complete his apprenticeship and earn his high school diploma. Later in life, he would open his own upholstery shop.
Outside of work, Carl enjoyed hunting, taking care of his many hunting dogs, working on cars, riding dune buggies in Pismo Beach and shooting pool. In 2017, Carl and Alicia would take the road trip of a lifetime across Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio to meet many members of his biological family for the first time, including three half-brothers, one half-sister, many cousins, nieces and nephews, and Ruby's younger sister.
In 2022, Carl married his longtime companion, Dora Tucker-Handy.
Carl is survived by his wife Dora Tucker-Handy, his daughter Alicia Handy-Sholer, two half-sisters, four half-brothers and many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Carl's Life will be held on Saturday March 16, 2024 from 1-4pm at the VFW Post 5059, 1405 E Linwood Avenue, Turlock, CA 95380.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Wounded Warriors in Carl's name. https://communityfundraising.woundedwarriorproject.org/campaign/Carl-Handy-Memorial