Robert D. “Bob” Carey, 59, of Parsons died at 7:20 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010, at his home following a courageous five-year battle with cancer.

He was born Dec. 8, 1950, in Vinita, Okla., to Sigsbee Bruce and Mildred Louise (Morrow) Carey. As a young boy, he grew up and attended schools in Parsons and Altamont. Bob was a 1968 graduate of Labette County Community High School in Altamont and earned an associate degree from Labette Community College in Parsons.

During the Vietnam War he entered the United States Navy and, upon his discharge, joined the United States Navy Reserves, having served his country a total of 16 years.

After his discharge from the Navy, he began his 36-year career with Ruskin Manufacturing Co. in Parsons, where he served more than 25 years as human resource manager.

He was a dedicated and caring individual who gave of himself to the citizens of Labette County while serving on the Labette County Sheriff’s Reserves eight years.

He was a member of the Parsons Church of the Nazarene, a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and especially enjoyed spending time with his family, friends and co-workers.

He married Christie McKinnis on Nov. 17, 1973, at First Christian Church in Parsons. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include a daughter, Stacey Spence and her husband, Adam, of Lawrence; a grandson, Logan Spence; three brothers, Edmond “Ed” Carey and his wife, Judy, of Garden Grove, Calif., Carl Carey of Parsons and William “Bill” Carey and his wife, Dianne, of Owasso, Okla.

He was preceded in death by his father, Sigsbee Carey, on July 21, 2010; and his mother, Mildred Louise Carey, on June 16, 1996.

The service will be at 2:30 p.m. today at Parsons Church of the Nazarene. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Parsons Church of the Nazarene. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.