Thomas Victor Carey

Thomas Victor Carey, age 84, of El Paso, Texas, entered eternal rest on Friday, June 12, 2026. Tom lived a large, remarkable, and joy-filled life: a life marked by faith, family, hard work, good humor, strong opinions, deep loyalty, and an unmistakable Scottish accent that remained with him even after more than six decades in the United States.

Tom was born on July 20, 1941, in Kilwinning, Scotland, to James and Mary Carey, both of whom predeceased him. He grew up in Scotland and carried his Scottish heritage with pride throughout his life. Tom played the bagpipes, loved a good story, and never seemed far from the sound, spirit, and humor of the country where his life began. He had a wry sense of humor and a larger-than-life personality that everyone came to expect and to love.

Long before many people knew him as a businessman, consultant, or owner, Tom was also an accomplished footballer (soccer, as Americans call it). He represented Scotland’s junior national team, playing as a box-to-box midfielder whose job was to cover the whole pitch, defend, create, and drive the ball forward. And drive the ball forward he did, on the field and through the rest of his life. Tom was part of Luton Town Football Club, a historic English club later familiar to many fans through its Premier League run. He also played alongside Sir Alex Ferguson before Ferguson became one of the most famous football managers in the world. Tom’s life was full of extraordinary chapters, the kind that sounded almost too colorful to be true, until Tom told the story with that unmistakable accent and a gleam in his eye.

At age 23, Tom immigrated to the United States, settling first in Detroit, Michigan. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1970, while never losing the accent, wit, confidence, and unmistakable presence of a Scotsman. To Tom, becoming an American was not merely a legal milestone; it was one of the great blessings of his life. Although he was born and raised in Scotland and remained deeply proud of his Scottish roots, Tom loved the United States. He was a

proud and wholehearted American patriot, counted himself blessed to be an American, and knew America to be a great country. Over the years, Tom lived in Detroit, Dearborn Heights, Rochester Hills, and South Lyon, Michigan; Chicago, Illinois; Scottsdale, Arizona; Columbia, South Carolina; and ultimately El Paso, Texas, which became his final home.

Tom had a long and accomplished working life. His background in mechanical engineering and skilled trades led him into a career that included work as a toolmaker, instructor, engineer, purchasing executive, business leader, chief executive officer, consultant, and entrepreneur. He worked with automotive and industrial companies, serving in senior leadership and consulting roles for manufacturing and automotive-related businesses, including Ford, General Motors, Truesdell Enterprises, and Pure Power Technologies (Navistar). He had a gift for understanding people, organizations, problems, and opportunities. He knew how to lead, how to negotiate, how to build teams, and how to get things done.

Tom was a member and leader in many organizations over his lifetime, including being a life member of Architect-University Lodge No. 569, the Moslem Shriners, and the Royal Order of Jesters. For many years, he was a member and director of the Shrine Highlander Bagpipe Band and directed the Stroh’s Highland Bagpipe Band, raising funds for the medical needs of children. He served as an usher and trustee at Dearborn First Presbyterian Church . His ability to organize people, lead teams, and bring purpose to every endeavor was legendary.

Tom also had a habit of retiring … and then deciding that retirement did not suit him. He retired four or five times, but it never seemed to stick. At the time of his death, he was still working as the owner of All Care Lawn Services in El Paso, Texas. Work, for Tom, was not merely a way to earn a living. It was a place to meet people, solve problems, tell stories, give directions, share opinions, and stay fully engaged in the world.

Tom was gregarious, energetic, and unforgettable. He was the life of the party, a man with a strong personality and a big presence. He could command a room, make people laugh, and leave a lasting impression wherever he went. Tom was direct, animated, proud, funny, and full of life. He was not a small personality, and he was not meant to be. Tom was larger than life.

Most importantly, Tom loved his Lord Jesus Christ. His faith was central to who he was. He believed in the promises of God, the hope of salvation, and the eternal life given through Jesus. His family takes comfort in the words of Jesus: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (John 11:25). Though his family and friends grieve his passing, they do so with the hope and assurance that Tom is now at peace in the presence of his Savior.

Tom was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Cynthia Truesdell Carey, who entered eternal rest in September 2025; his parents, James and Mary Carey; and his stepson, Zander Field. He is survived by his sons, James Lawrence Carey (Lori A. Carey) and Thomas Scott Carey (Donna L. Carey), from his first marriage to Evelyn Carey; Cynthia’s son, Kenton Field (Kelli Field); his grandchildren, Gwendolyn Carey, Amelia Carey, MacGregor Carey, and Josiah Carey; his sister, Loraine Imrie (Alister Imrie), and nieces, Sandra and Sharon; and his brother, James Carey (Marion Carey). He is also survived by extended family and many friends in Scotland, Michigan, Arizona, Texas, and beyond.

Tom shared 33 years of marriage with Cynthia. Their life together included family, faith, work, travel, friendships, and many chapters in many places. In the final years of his life, Tom endured the losses of both Cynthia and Zander, yet he continued forward with the same unmistakable spirit that defined him.

Tom will be remembered for his faith, his humor, his booming personality, his work ethic, his Scottish pride, his bagpipes, his football stories, his accent, the unmistakable scent of Polo cologne that often announced him as he entered the room, and the way he made every gathering livelier simply by being there. He lived fully, spoke boldly, loved deeply, and left behind stories that will be told for generations.

Memorial Services

El Paso, Texas: Saturday, July 18, 2026. Gathering from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eulogy and service at 2:30 p.m. Location to be provided by the family.

Detroit, Michigan: Saturday, August 8, 2026. Gathering from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eulogy and service at 2:30 p.m. Location to be provided by the family.

Tom’s family is grateful for the love, prayers, memories, and support of all who knew him. His voice, his laughter, his drive, and his unmistakable presence will be dearly missed. We take comfort in the promise of Jesus: “I go to prepare a place for you… I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:2–3). Until we meet again, Tom rests in the presence of the Lord.