OSAGE CITY — Wagar Grant Carey III, known as “Carey,” Osage City, died Thursday, June 24, 2021, surrounded by his family. He was 76.
He was born April 15, 1945, in Portland, Ore., the son of Wagar Grant Carey II and Agnus (Klingsporn) Carey. He grew up in Portland, Ore., and graduated from Benson Poly Tech High School, Portland, Ore., in 1963. After high school, he served in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged. He attended Portland Community College earning his associate degree.
Carey spent most of his life, over 40 years, working for Union 76/Conoco-Phillips Oil Company as a millwright maintenance engineer in Portland, Ore., retiring in 2017.
He was living his best life in retirement. He moved to Kansas after his grandchildren moved there to be closer to them.
Carey was an avid bargain shopper and tool collector, and he had a passion for repairing clocks. He never met a stranger. He loved to help people and did so every chance he could, from buying used bikes to use as parts for the neighborhood kids, to donating dresses for recitals or musical instruments needed for school functions. He bought many musical instruments that he donated to USD 420. If you shared with him what you wanted or needed, he more often than not would find it for you and deliver it to you in person. He was a selfless man who lived humbly, and he was his happiest helping others.
That same passion was shown with his family. He was the everyone called for help, guidance, advise or just to talk to. He lifted his family’s burdens and instilled in them the value of family. He was a pillar of strength, compassion, forgiveness and acceptance. He quite simply was a beautiful man, father and grandfather, and to say he will be missed is a gross understatement.
Carey is survived by his stepdaughter, Kathy Boss, Osage City; his grandchildren, Monika Rowsey, Osage City, Misty Lee, Everett, Wash., Amber Wiscombe, Overbrook, and Lindsay Lehrbach, Osage City; his 13 great-grandchildren; and his five great-great-grandchildren, with a sixth on the way. He adored each and every one of them.
A celebration of life memorial service will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army and sent in care to Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451.
Condolences may be left for the family at FeltnerFuneralHome.com.
