John Carey, M.D. (TS ’54)

John Carey was born to Arthur and Esther Carey on April 17, 1920 in Hartford, CT and was the youngest of three children. He learned to play golf and classical piano at an early age, passions that remained with him throughout his life. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Trinity College in Hartford, CT and subsequently attended Harvard Medical School, graduating in 1945 with honors. He did his internship at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and then served 2 years in the Navy, stationed in China and Guam. Upon returning to the United States he continued his surgical training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN in General and Thoracic Surgery and the early development of cardiovascular surgery. In 1954 he moved to Oklahoma City to begin a practice with Dr. Allen Greer, and were later joined by Drs. Nazih Zuhdi, William Hawley, James Hartsuck, Darryl Fisher, Marvin Peyton, Scott Lucas and Paul Kanaly. In their early practice, Greer, Carey and Zudhi were pioneers in the evolution of cardiovascular surgery, developing techniques used today in hypothermia and hemodilution. After retirement in 1987 he continued his education at OCU obtaining Master’s degrees in Comparative Literature and Religious Studies.

In 1947 he married Elizabeth Celia Karpeles and from that union had three children: Chris, Stuart and Linda. Betty tragically died of breast cancer in 1972. He married Bettie Jean Deatherage in 1975 who preceded him in death in 2008 after a prolonged battle with dementia.
John was truly a Renaissance man. He read extensively and lectured on his many diverse interests. He traveled to over 60 countries and used photographs and brochures to make scrapbooks for every trip, which were a great comfort to him in later years when he could not travel. He would gladly share his knowledge and experiences with anyone who would listen. He enjoyed trips with his family and friends, which often involved fishing…another passion from childhood.

He is survived by his children, Dr. Chris Carey and his wife Ruth, Stuart Carey and his wife Kathy and Linda Carey and her husband Bill. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Stuart Carey, Alex Carey, Layne Witmer, Andrew Carey, Meredith Carey, Hannah Carey and Kathleen Hall. He is also survived by seven great grandchildren.
John remained curious and alert to the end of his extraordinary life. We want to thank all his caretakers including the OKC Fire Department for their patience and kindness.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation toJohn Carey was born to Arthur and Esther Carey on April 17, 1920 in Hartford, CT and was the youngest of three children. He learned to play golf and classical piano at an early age, passions that remained with him throughout his life. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Trinity College in Hartford, CT and subsequently attended Harvard Medical School, graduating in 1945 with honors. He did his internship at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and then served 2 years in the Navy, stationed in China and Guam. Upon returning to the United States he continued his surgical training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN in General and Thoracic Surgery and the early development of cardiovascular surgery. In 1954 he moved to Oklahoma City to begin a practice with Dr. Allen Greer, and were later joined by Drs. Nazih Zuhdi, William Hawley, James Hartsuck, Darryl Fisher, Marvin Peyton, Scott Lucas and Paul Kanaly. In their early practice, Greer, Carey and Zudhi were pioneers in the evolution of cardiovascular surgery, developing techniques used today in hypothermia and hemodilution. After retirement in 1987 he continued his education at OCU obtaining Master’s degrees in Comparative Literature and Religious Studies.

In 1947 he married Elizabeth Celia Karpeles and from that union had three children: Chris, Stuart and Linda. Betty tragically died of breast cancer in 1972. He married Bettie Jean Deatherage in 1975 who preceded him in death in 2008 after a prolonged battle with dementia.
John was truly a Renaissance man. He read extensively and lectured on his many diverse interests. He traveled to over 60 countries and used photographs and brochures to make scrapbooks for every trip, which were a great comfort to him in later years when he could not travel. He would gladly share his knowledge and experiences with anyone who would listen. He enjoyed trips with his family and friends, which often involved fishing…another passion from childhood.

He is survived by his children, Dr. Chris Carey and his wife Ruth, Stuart Carey and his wife Kathy and Linda Carey and her husband Bill. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Stuart Carey, Alex Carey, Layne Witmer, Andrew Carey, Meredith Carey, Hannah Carey and Kathleen Hall. He is also survived by seven great grandchildren.
John remained curious and alert to the end of his extraordinary life. We want to thank all his caretakers including the OKC Fire Department for their patience and kindness.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to OMRF, 825 NE 13, Oklahoma City, OK 73104 www.omrf.org , OKC Philharmonic Orchestra , OKC Philharmonic Orchestra, 424 Colcord Dr., Suite B, Oklahoma City, OK 73102, www.okcphil.org or the charity of your choice in his honor.

A private service will be planned in the future.