Micheal Jon Carey passed away at Riverstone Health Hospice Home in Billings, MT on November 19, 2022 at the age of 61. Mike was born in Miles City, MT to Norman and Frankie (Hougaard) Carey. He was the second born child after his sister Misty and 12 years later Camille joined the family. He spent much of his childhood on the family farm riding the bus to school before the family moved into town. Mike attended Lincoln Elementary, Washington Middle School, and graduated from CCDHS in 1979. While in high school he excelled in basketball, golf, and some shenanigans too.
Mike graduated in 1982 in Phoenix, AZ with an associates degree in basic electronics from DeVry Institute of Technology. He excelled there and would complete his labs for the entire trimester in one day. There were many friends from home attending DeVry at the time for him to play tennis, backgammon, and go swimming with. Many Saturday nights were spent at Dooley’s in Tempe.
He married Kristine Brown in 1983. After leaving Phoenix they moved to Colorado Springs, CO where Mike was hired by Ford Aerospace as a supervisor/field engineer. After a short while there he was transferred to Warner Robins, GA and then to Sacramento, CA. Mike worked as a civilian at McClellan AFB. He was part of a team that worked on the first tandem computers. He was highly respected by his bosses and counted on to fix many problems at different sites.
In June of 1989 his son Colton was born in Carmichael, CA. Colton was the light of his dads life. Mike was so happy that he was going to have someone to share his love of basketball with. In 2000, Mike moved back to Miles City and eventually back to the family farm just south of town. There he often enjoyed stargazing on a warm summer night. He was fascinated by space and the universe.
Mike loved spending time with his son. They would enjoy playing basketball, darts, and 4 wheeling at his cabin in the Pine Hills. They loved to attend and watch NBA games together and would regularly bet against each other. Mike was a Lakers fan and also a Chargers fan. Woodworking, attending rock concerts, his cats, and spending time with friends were some of the things he also enjoyed. His sense of humor will be remembered by all.
Mike was preceded in death by his father, Norman Carey; his grandparents Clayton and Hansine Carey, and Garth and Myrtle Hougaard. He is survived by his mother Frankie Carey of Capitola, CA; his son, Colton Carey of Bismarck, ND; his sisters Misty Carey of Bozeman, MT; Camille Carey of Albuquerque, NM; nephew Clayton Carey of Albuquerque, NM; former spouse Kristine Carey of Bismarck, ND.
Mike’s celebration of life will be held Monday, November 28, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City with burial to follow at Custer County Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Golden Spur. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
pamela goplen says
Rest in Peace dear cousin….I will miss our chats
Dolores Meidinger Willson says
My sincere sympathy to all of Mike’s family. Sometimes God needs the good ones first💖. May you all find peace and happiness from all your great memories😞
DeArlyne Kappel says
Mike, you were one of a kind! Your humor and good heart will be missed. My deepest sympathies to your family!
Debra Wood says
My sympathy and prayers go out to all of Mike’s family and friends..He will be missed.
Vikki Bradley says
Rest in Peace Mike….prayers to the family
Janet Klein says
Another cousin gone too soon…may you rest in peace, you deserve it! You will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayer to the families…
Marcy Parks says
To all of Mike’s family, I am so sorry to see this! You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Starla Williams says
My thoughts and prayers go out to Mike’s family and friends
Fly high with the Angels mike
Tennant Nancy says
You will be missed, Mike. I really enjoyed our talks. Rest in peace, my friend. 🙏🙏
Melody Rhoads Cooper says
I remember walking to school with Mike. We lived on the same street, two blocks away. Rest in Peace. Prayers to the family
Michael Carr says
I am so sorry to hear this. No one had a smile and the sense of humor like Mike did. He could always make you feel good when you’re feeling down and not having a good day. My memories go way back. I will never forget you . It’s time to rest and to enjoy God’s everlasting grace and peace…
Bernadette Miller says
Enjoyed Mike’s company and good humor when we used to go to Gallagher’s all the time. Verlin always liked to put a couple bucks in the poker machines and Mike was always there to chat with. He was a good guy. Prayers to all of Mike’s family and friends.
Judy Erb says
I am so sorry to hear this. Way too soon my friend. Hugs & prayers to Mike’s family.
Julie Leischner says
I’m so sorry for your loss, Carey family. Camille and I were good friends, but I only got to meet Mike once or twice. I do remember him telling us a story about scrambled eggs that made us not want to eat them any more!
I hope you all can find comfort in the good memories!
Suzy Musser says
My condolences to all of Mike’s family during this time.
Danna Jablinske says
So sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. I haven’t seen him in years, but I will always remember his SMILE.
Prayers for peace and comfort.
Martha Crandall says
my sympathy
Randy Watts says
Rest in peace, brother Mike. So sorry for your loss Carey family. Growing up with Mike was special. He was so smart and had a great dude about everything. I will always remember him as a good friend.
Cori Hanel says
Misty and family, I am so sorry for your loss of Mike. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Robert L Flotkoetter says
Rest in peace my friend,
Garry Turnquist says
Mike, you will be missed by many. I have many fond memories growing up, high-school then DeVry.
Leslie Manning says
RIP to a great guy
Cheryl Rainey Yasuda says
Misty and the entire Carey family, I’m sorry for the passing of Mike. May your sweet memories sustain you and this sorrowful time.
Tracee L Raymond says
Rip Mike…I hadn’t seen you in years. Mike was always a very nice guy and I know he will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
Fern Carey Griggs says
Mike I hope you are reunited with your dad, maybe making some lefse for him! RIP
Jim Schmitz says
This is awful news. My thoughts are with all of Mikes Family & Friends. Mike was a great guy. I was fortunate to have spent a lot of time with Mike as we attended Devry in Pheonix at the same time. Not even sure he needed to be at an electronics school. Seemed like he’d known the stuff since birth. He was so smart and was eager to help me with school whenever I asked. Another mate gone way to soon. You will be missed my friend.
Bruce and Anne says
One of the first memories, I think will always be remembered is standing outside watching space play a magic trick as the total lunar eclipse occurred with a full moon.
We will always be thankful for Mike because without him we would not have my nephew Colton
Sorry for such a loss
Mike & Judy Toennis Family says
Our thoughts and prayers are with your families.
Sorry we were not able to attend the service.
Wanda Gresens says
Sorry to hear of Mike’s passing . It has been years since I have saw him but enjoyed his humor and tales of our youth at the last class reunion. May he Rest In Peace.
Desta Hirsch says
My condolences Frankie and family. Mike was one of my brother Bret’s core group of friends. They all hung out at our house after school and at lunch since we were close to the high school and our folks were up at our store during the day. They actually ruined my high school experience. I naively thought I was going to have as much fun as they did when I got there. Not a chance.
They were always going somewhere to have fun and our house was the gathering place to head out from. They went out to Paragon, the Flumes, 12 mile, Branum Lake, Spotted Eagle etc..
I would get to hear all about it when they got back. Their senior kegger was legendary. Woodruff Park, the band Mere Image played. My senior party was the first sober casino night ever.
I did have a blast with Mike years later when Destiny, Deeanna, and Mike and I went to Casper for a Metallica concert. He will be missed!
Stacy GALLEGOS says
Mike.. this is awful news. Mario and I been trying to call. Neither on FB often. I sit here heart broken and I know Marion is too. ” I’ll always remember our weather joke. That and who had better hair… your missed so much. We love you. Rest in Peace!!
Stacy Mario and Graysen…. 30 degrees to Sunny!!! 😀