Harold Ralph Carey, 86, of Huntsville, Alabama, passed away on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at Huntsville Hospital with his family at his bedside. He was born in Oak Park, Illinois on March 18, 1938, the oldest son of Martha Meath and Earl Ralph Carey. He was a graduate of Benedictine University (St. Procopius College) in Lisle, Illinois with a degree in Physics and did graduate studies at the University of Notre Dame. He was drafted into the Army in 1961 and served in the Army Corp of Engineers at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. Following his discharge, he remained at Ft. Belvoir in Civil Service. In 1969, the family moved to Huntsville, Alabama to begin work for Stanford Research Institute (SRI). Later, he was employed by defense contractors, Computer Science Corporation (CSC) and Colsa Corporation.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Ann Maureen Carey; son, Patrick Joseph Carey (Ann Day); daughters, Maureen Joy Carey and Beth Carey Hook (Eugene); three grandchildren, Keira Hook, Connor Hook, and Keely Ann Hook; and three siblings, Martha Ann Carey, James Patrick Carey (Barbara) and Mary Carey Thompson (Mark).
Harold enjoyed time spent in photography, electronics, inventing, 3D printing, roller coasters, playing musical instruments, especially jazz keyboard and the harmonica, magic performance, cooking, sibling get-togethers, travel, and time with family and the grandchildren.
A lifelong Catholic, Harold was an active member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church for 55 years, serving as a Eucharistic Minister and Meals-on-Wheels driver.
Visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. followed by Funeral Mass at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Monday, April 22nd. Inurnment will be at Good Shepherd Columbarium.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Spirit St. Vincent de Paul Society (https://holyspirithsv.com/svdp/) or the Huntsville Botanical Gardens (https://hsvbg.org/).
