54, died Thursday, Dec. 1, in Franklin after a long illness. Tom was born Jan. 30, 1957, in Kokomo, the son of Cornelius and Mary Jane Carey.
He graduated from Kokomo High School and was a parishioner at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.
Tom graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington and had a long and distinguished journalism career, working at several Indiana newspapers before joining the Kokomo Tribune in 1989.
Over a nearly 20 year career at the Tribune, Tom served in positions such as lifestyle editor and community news editor. He wrote the paper’s Good News, Good People column for many years and won numerous journalism awards for his work, including honors from the Hoosier State Press Association and the Associated Press Media Editors.
Tom was well known for his extensive charity work with groups such as Coordinated Assistance Ministries, Samaritan Caregivers, the 24 Hour Club and the Kokomo Rescue Mission. He raised more than $50,000 for We Care by auctioning off Kokomo’s first White Castle Slider year after year on the annual We Care Telethon.
Survivors include brothers Pat Carey, Fort Myers, Fla., John (Christine) Carey, Addison, Maine, Con (Patti) Carey, Crown Point, Michael (Suzanne) Carey, Peachtree City, Ga., David (Nancy) Carey, Greenwood, Brian (Joanne) Carey, Indianapolis; and a sister, Mary Agnes (Ross Brennan) Carey, Washington, D.C.; and several nieces and nephews. Tom’s parents and his brother Robert preceded him in death.
Friends may call at Shirley and Stout Funeral Home,Jefferson Street Chapel, 414 W. Jefferson St, from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, December 9th, and at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church at 10:30 on Saturday, December 10, 2011. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday at 11:30 a.m. in St. Patrick’s. Interment at Kokomo Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Non-Slider Fund, 519 N. Main, Kokomo 46901 in care of We Care, or to the annual Tom Carey Easter Basket Workshop sponsored by Kokomo Urban Outreach, 1701 S. Locke St., Kokomo, 46902 (www.kokomourbanoutreach.org).
Indianapolis arrangements by Feeney-Hornak Keystone Mortuary. A memorial tribute may be shared at www.feeneyhornakkeystone.com. Local arrangements entrusted to Shirley and Stout Funeral Home.
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