Montie Rex Carey, born on August 4, 1946, passed away on August 18, 2025, at the age of 79.

Rex was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Vanno and Ada Carey; his sister Ann Costilow; his brother Dick Carey; and his brother-in-law Homer Hensley.

He is survived by his wife, Cathy Wiggins; his children, Brian Carey, Amy Carey, and Emily Russell and husband John; his grandson, Ethan Dauphin; and his siblings: Jean Hensley, Kent Carey and wife Nancy, Betsy Pedigo and husband Bill, brother-in-law Jan Costilow; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Rex was born in Breckenridge, Texas, where his early years were marked by athletic excellence as a high school track star. He earned his undergraduate degree in Biology from North Texas State University, where he was also a proud member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He later completed a master's degree from East Texas State University.

He began his professional life as a track coach at Sunset High School in Dallas. In 1974, Rex moved to Abilene, Texas, where he established Carey's Marine, following in his father's footsteps.

During the height of the Vietnam War, Rex served in the Army National Reserve, and he was also a proud Mason while living in Abilene.

Among his proudest personal achievements was running in the Boston Marathon—a testament to his lifelong passion for athletics and his remarkable perseverance.

Rex had a great sense of humor and was always the life of the party. His laughter was infectious, and he was also a gifted storyteller—able to captivate a room with tales that were as heartfelt as they were hilarious.

Rex lived a beautiful final chapter in Florida alongside his wife Cathy and their beloved dogs, Bella and Buster. He enjoyed playing golf, visiting the beach, and cherished time with Cathy, who brought boundless love and devotion to their life together. Their deep bond was a testament to true partnership, with Cathy's loving spirit helping make his golden years truly golden.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 20th at St. Peter's by the Lake in Graford, TX at noon, where friends and loved ones are invited to gather in celebration of Rex's life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, dedicated to eliminating Parkinson's disease.