James A. Carey

James Addison Carey III, formerly of Cripple Creek, Colorado, died at the age of 90 in Donna, Texas on January 25th, 2025. Jim was born March 22, 1934, in Breckenridge, Texas to Troy and Anna Lou (Lee) Carey.

Jim grew up in Freer, Texas and graduated from Peacock Military Institute located in San Antonio, Texas in 1951. He had an appointment to attend West Point but chose to attend Texas A&M College. In 1956, Jim graduated from Texas A&M with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science. In 1954, he married Kay Weber Carey and after graduation he was Commissioned into the United States Air Force. He earned status as a “Fighter Pilot” and ended his Military Service as a flight instructor.

Jim had several careers in his life including - ranching, insurance sales, ranch management and county extension service.

Jim, a native Texan, and his wife Kay spent 30 years in Texas and raised three children. In 1984, Jim earned a Masters’ Degree from Texas Tech University which led him to Cripple Creek, Colorado where he became a county agent with the Teller County Extension Service. These years were the highlight of his career as Jim had a passion for ranching as well as helping young adults. This career allowed him to help ranchers in the area as well as young adults in the Teller County 4-H program. Jim enjoyed the friendship of many people throughout the Teller County 4-H System. Special thanks go out to the folks in Teller County that welcomed him and Kay with open arms. Jim often talked of the friendships he and Kay made with these folks and cherished the time spent living in that community.

Jim enjoyed outdoor activities and had tremendous joy of fly-fishing. He and Kay spent time fishing in Colorado, Canada, Belize, and the Texas Coast. Jim had an outgoing and genuine personality which afforded him many friends. He will certainly be remembered as a great storyteller (with a good dose of embellishment) which made conversations with him quite entertaining.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife Kay who passed in 2014. They met fly fishing on a river near Gunnison, Colorado. Together they enjoyed the outdoors, fishing and raising a variety of animals. At one time while living in Ropesville, Texas they had Cattle, Sheep, Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Chickens, Quail, Pheasant, and adopted wild Ducks.

Jim is survived by his oldest son Randall Covington Carey, daughter Sheila Lisa Timm and her husband Mark Timm, his youngest son Patrick Carey, and wife Donna Baylor Carey. Jim has seven grandchildren, which include Heather Kay Jones and spouse Josh, Megan Carey, Sean Dustin Timm, Kyle Lee Timm and spouse Selenia, Lindsey Elise Leventis and her husband Jordan and Trevor Carey. Jim had eleven great grandchildren - Isabella Timm, Benicio George Timm, Diego Nolan Timm, Kaidon Lynn Bornman, Grace Harriet Jones, Kayla Hope Jones, Noelle Joy Jones, Hazel Faith Jones, Harrison William Jones, Luke Paul Leventis, and Eden Rose Leventis.

Also surviving Jim is his brother Bob Carey of College Station, Texas and wife Barb, whom Jim married in 2018. Barb was greatly appreciated and loved by Jim. She was heaven sent and devoted to Jim in his final chapter of life. Jim’s family is grateful to her for her devotion and loving care of him. Jim is preceded in death by his parent’s Troy and Anna Lou Carey and his grandson Travis Nolan Timm.

Jim will be missed by his family and friends, but we rejoice that he is at peace inGod’s Kingdom and reunited with those family members and friends that proceeded him death. 

A private “Celebration of Life” will be held for family members.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Teller County 4H Club. Send check to Payable to Teller County Extension Fund in c/o Melissa Orme at P.O. Box 928, Divide, CO 80814