Obituary of Eldon Winfield Carey

Eldon Winfield Carey passed away in Tulsa, OK on November 13, 2015. He was born in Grantsburg, WI on May 11, 1929 to Osmer W. and Irene F. Carey. Soon after graduating from high school in Frederic, WI he enlisted in the United States Army and married Lois Irene Phillips. He attended Army Officers’ Candidate School, graduating in December 1949. His service in the Transportation Corps included tours of duty in Germany, Guam, Korea, Okinawa and Vietnam. He commanded two Transportation Companies in Germany, an Armored Personnel Carrier Company in Korea, and a Truck battalion in Vietnam. Eldon received his Bachelor of Science degree from St. Benedict’s College in Atchison, Kansas and attended numerous military schools, including the Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth, KS. He retired from the Army as a Colonel in 1973 after 26 years of active service. His decorations include the Legion of Merit (2), the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Occupation Medal (Germany), the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the RVN Campaign Medal. Colonel Carey was inducted into the OCS Hall of Fame in 1992. Following his Army career, Eldon was employed by UOP, Inc. managing their automotive catalyst plant in Tulsa, OK from 1973 to 1984. He retired from that position and moved to Texas, residing in Harker Heights, Killeen and Salado. He was a long time member of Rotary Club, serving in clubs in Tulsa, OK, Harker Heights, TX, and Salado, TX. He was added to the Rotary District 5870 Roll of Fame in 2005. He was a member of Southminster Presbyterian Church of Tulsa, OK, Presbyterian Church of Killeen, TX, the Presbyterian Church of Salado, TX, the Holiday Island Presbyterian Church of Holiday Island, AR, and St. James Presbyterian Church of Jenks, OK. He served as an Elder for many years. Eldon Carey was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Lois; his sister Arletta Jennings of Picayune, MS and his daughter Connie L. Podbielski of Gatesville, TX. He is survived by his wife, Virginia S. Webb; two sisters, Shirley Ann Michaels (Jim) of St. Charles, MO and Nancy Jean Lade (Bob) of Cape Coral, FL; son-in law Thad Podbielski of Gatesville, TX, daughter Patti L. Albino (Jose) of Lakewood, CO; son Kevin W. Carey (Jovanna) of Tulsa and seven grandchildren; Lola Albino-Grubbs, Lois Albino, Lana Kelly, Mark Podbielski, Anthony Podbielski, Dylan Carey, and Grace Carey; two great-grandchildren, and step-daughter, Julia Huffman and her son Will Huffman.