GEORGE CAREY

1934 - 2016

January 13, 1934 - October 14, 2016 WEST CHESTER, PA George L "Buddy" Carey, Jr passed away, after a four and a half-year journey with pancreatic cancer, on Oct. 14, 2016, at his home in West Chester, PA. He was 82. Born Jan. 13, 1934, in Shawnee, OK to Nell and George Carey, Buddy grew up there with his sister, Maryann, and attended Shawnee High School. He went on to graduate as an ROTC second lieutenant from University of Oklahoma in 1958 with a degree in chemical engineering. He completed active duty in Aberdeen, MD, and then fulfilled his commitment as a reservist on weekends in Fort Hood, TX. He always remained a loyal SAE brother and passionate Sooners fan. He married his college sweetheart, Sara Sue Riddle, and moved to Farmington, NM to start his first job as a chemical engineer. While in Farmington, their four children were born. Accepting a position in the concrete form business, he moved to Bellevue, WA, and then went on to Exton, PA in 1971 to help engineer the forms used in the Washington, DC Metro. Buddy and Sue made Exton their home and incorporated into the community through coaching the Lionville Youth Association (LYA) soccer, exploring the rich history of eastern Pennsylvania, school involvement, sports and the kids' organizations, including CCD, Young Life and scouting trips. Buddy learned to ski during college at Aspen, which turned into a lifelong passion. While in the Pacific Northwest, he was a ski instructor at Snoqualmie Pass and Crystal Mountain. After moving east, he spent many weekends at Greek Peak Ski Area on the slopes with his family. His passion for winter and the mountains inspired him to fulfill a dream to return to Colorado, where he spent time in the Vail area the last 15 years. Having an incessant curiosity for history and how things work, he would read nonfiction and combine the knowledge with his own travels to share detailed memories and histories of various locales. Buddy loved to connect with his own family history by devoting time researching and documenting his genealogy. Most of Buddy's stories were highlighted with a good laugh. Buddy loved being surrounded by his friends and family and is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sue; sons, Tripp (Beth), of Coopersburg, PA; Jeff (Tomasen), of Exeter, NH; Todd (Sue), of Chester Springs, PA; and daughter, Kristan, of Edwards, CO. He cherished his eight grandchildren - Elena, Nicholas, Emma, Zachary, Grace, Kyle, Ryan, and Lauren. Additionally, he is survived by his sister, Maryann Reynolds; and beloved nieces and nephews. Whatever he was called - George, Buddy, Pap, Uncle Bug, Dad - he rests in peace. A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, Oct. 21, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Church, Fellowship Rd. & Pottstown Pike, Chester Springs, PA. Interment Private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in George L Carey's name to The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society (www.lls.org), Juvenile Diabetes Foundation (www.jdrf.org), Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (www.pancan.org), or Special Olympics (www.specialolympics.org) - all causes that had a special place in Buddy's big heart. To send online condolences, please visit: www.jamesterryfuneralhome.com