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We have been asked to participate with a Flag line at the Service for this veteran by one of our own.
Russell Conwell Carey, Jr., (91) was born September 10, 1932 and passed into glory October 1, 2023. He graduated from Frankford High School in Philadelphia where he met the love of his life, his late wife, Jane. They married on May 29, 1954. He was the earthly father of Susan Joy Ketterer (Gerry), Loriann Beth Pavluk, David Russell Carey (Brenda) and Linda Jane Carey Jope (Bob). He is survived by grandchildren Michael Ketterer (Bernadette), Daniel Ketterer (Colleen), Benjamin Ketterer (Sandi), Timothy Pavluk (Meagan), Joshua Carey, Evan Carey, Christine Carey, Victoria Simmons, Mariah Simmons, Elijah Simmons, Jeremiah Simmons, Hannah Jope (Michael Carballo), Elijah Jope. Also an even dozen great-grandchildren!
Dad was drafted into the Army as a young man and served stateside. Dad's service to his country and his patriotic spirit probably had some influence on his second daughter Loriann enlisting in the Navy, following in the footsteps of Russ's Dad who served in the Navy for 30 years. Dad's patriotism was infectious. We can't go to a parade without standing for the American Flag each time it passes. We also can't hold our tongue when the National Anthem is sung. We must sing along, even if it is very quietly as not to disrupt the soloist.
Russell loved God, loved his life, and loved being active in the church. In their early years together, Russ and Jane even had the opportunity to sing in the choir at a Billy Graham Crusade in the 50's. For most of his life, he and Jane were very active in Methodist congregations. They made sure their kids grew up to know Jesus. Dad made it clear, Jesus comes first. On Christmas Day He made us kids wait to open our gifts until after he read the story of Jesus’ birth from Luke chapter 2 and until one of us kids found the hidden baby Jesus so He could be placed in the nativity scene displayed in our living room. Jesus was the gift Dad truly wanted to give us. And we are thankful to Jesus for giving us the gift of our Dad.
Later in life Russ and Jane found their way to a more contemporary style of worship at Christian Life Center in Bensalem. I think it was their many trips to the Creation Festival that moved them toward a more contemporary style of worship. When they visited CLC, they loved the music and the preaching so there they stayed and became active members. Dad was active in leading home Bible studies and was a part of the Levite crew that helped with the upkeep of CLC.
Spending time with his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren was his favorite thing to do. When we were growing up, to our knowledge Dad and Mom made it to every game, concert, or play that any of us kids performed in. Dad and Mom were inseparable especially in their love and support for us. Trips to the shore every summer were always a highlight in our family’s time together. Then when his grandchildren came along, his love extended even further. Dad was obviously tapped into the source of God’s true love that keeps on growing. Not many could come into Dad’s presence or leave it without experiencing one of his genuine bear hugs. He always made people feel loved. That was our Dad!!!
Well known for his sense of humor, family dinners were often spent trading puns around the table. His same sense of humor has been passed down to his children. Now there are four of us tormenting the world with it. LOL. As a subscriber to Ancestry.com, he could be found perusing the computer at all hours of the night tracing his family’s lineage (or playing Freecell). After years of digging, his final Biblical conclusion was that our family has descended from Adam & Eve!
He loved to tinker with electric trains. Growing up, his Dad had O-gauge trains in the living room at Christmas from one wall to the other. Dad carried on that tradition for us kids, although the HO track was quite a bit smaller, but then so were the trains.
He was an avid Eagles fan and always watched the Phillies with Jane. They were a funny sight to watch as Jane sat closer to the TV because of her macular degeneration and Russ turned the volume way up because he was losing his hearing. Growing up, Dave remembers pestering Dad to have a football catch during an Eagles game. Dave was patient sometimes but often, Dad would get up, leave the game, and throw the ball around with him. Dave often tells people that his Dad is the most merciful and generous person he’s ever known. His children will miss spending Eagles games with him - it was a party every time! Fly Eagles Fly!!!
Please join us for a Celebration of Life on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at The UMC of Huntingdon Valley, 3470 Huntingdon Pike, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006. Philadelphia Eagles attire welcome, but not required!
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Tunnel 2 Towers (t2t.org) or Samaritan’s Purse (samaritanspurse.org).
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Russell Conwell Carey, Jr.
Date of Mission: Oct 07, 2023
Time of Mission: 1:00 PM
Location: United Methodist Church of Huntingdon Valley
3470 Huntingdon Pike
Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania 19006
RC: JOHN KETTERER ( JOHNNY)
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RIDING IN MEMORY OF MY DAD, NAVY VET WW2, IN MEMORY OF MY
BROTHER DANIEL, VIET NAM VET, U.S.A.F.
AND IN HONOR OF BROTHERS BILL & RICK, NAVY VETS....THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE!
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