Columbus, OH – Guy Keith “Dudley” Carey, 104, of Columbus Junction, Iowa, passed away peacefully at his home, on Tuesday, July 1, 2025.
Keith Carey was born in his grandmother’s house north of Fredonia on May 5, 1921, to Robert and Mamie (Bliven) Carey. He was the sixth of seven sons and one sister. The family moved in March of 1927 to Mercer County, Illinois and began farming in the Bay area. Dudley attended several rural schools and passed his eighth grade exam at Eliza Creek school. In the early 1940s the family moved back to Louisa County, Iowa and farmed in the Port Louisa and Concord Townships. Keith remained in Louisa County for the remainder of his life.
While attending the harness races at the annual Wapello Homecoming the young lady with a bow in her hair leading the horses to post caught his eye. Keith was hooked and he and Katherine Pewitt were married on May 5, 1950, at the Methodist Church in Wapello. For 67 years he and Katherine lived on the family farm together raising row crops, registered angus cattle, sheep, pigs, and Standardbred horses. They welcomed four children: Twyla, Jeff, Bill, and Patti. Many other friends found their home a sanctuary and remained “like family.”
Both Katherine and Dudley found they had a similar passion for horses. Katherine loved the saddlebred horses and Keith liked the Standardbreds. In 1950, Keith’s brother, Red, was injured in a racing accident, so they jumped in to help train and race the family horses. Thus began their involvement in harness racing in the Iowa, Illinois and Missouri circuits. They also raced horses at the Quad City Downs and Balmoral Park for several years. Keith and Katherine were instrumental in the growth of Iowa harness racing. Both he and Katherine would be inducted into the Iowa Harness Racing Hall of Fame. Few harness racing families didn’t know Dudley, whether driving, grooming, or sitting in the grandstand. He was a permanent fixture at all the Iowa race tracks, and most of the ones in Illinois, too.
Dudley will always be remembered for his jovial nature, his singing, cracking jokes, and his love of family. He was also a writer of poetry. Some of them were funny, some crude, and some were about the love of his life, Katherine. He often mailed his poems to friends and family, whoever he thought would get the biggest kick out of it. He loved to spend time with his family and friends, especially his grandkids and great-grandkids. He would have them helping him in the barn, singing songs to them (“The Beans Song” was a kid favorite), or telling them about the good ol’ days. He loved the time around the kitchen table during canning season when he would share his stories. He had the same love for his many nieces and nephews (no matter how many greats were in front of it). They would often come to see Uncle Dudley, or he and Katherine would visit them. Family was the center point for both of them.
Keith was a longtime member of the Freemasons (Columbus City Lodge #107) and Louisa County Shrine Club. Dud was recently recognized for 70 years of membership in the Columbus City Lodge. He often rode in the Leapin’ Lena Shriner car. He and his son Bill had many great memories within these organizations.
Keith was preceded in death by his wife, Katherine, on June 16, 2017. His parents Mamie (Bliven) and Robert Carey. His siblings and their spouses: Irene (Dale “Jiggers”) Morrison, Tom (Wilda) Carey, Rex (Christina) Carey, Royce “Red” (Vesta) Carey, Robert “Pat” (Muriel) Carey, Clayton “Butch” (Marcella) Carey, and Leith Carey. A granddaughter, Jessica Gerling, one great-grandchild, daughter-in-law Debby Carey, and many nieces and nephews.
He is survived by a daughter, Twyla (Dan) Peters of Columbus Junction. Their children, Will (Keetra) Peters- Keagan, Kinleigh, and Kelton of Sherman, Illinois; Mackenzie Clark- Sydney, Clay, and Banks of Columbus Junction. A son, Jeff & Nancy Carey of Columbus Junction. Their children, Mary Carey and Keevyn Kilburg- Kolton and Kaison of Columbus Junction and Karlee (Jackson) Roth of Wayland; Curtis Carey of Columbus Junction; and Allison (Ryan) Pearson- Kathlynn and Newlyn of Lone Tree. Another son, Bill Carey of Columbus Junction and daughter Michelle (Truckie) Harbison of Crawfordsville- Logan (Kylen) of Washington & Caedon of Ainsworth and son Matthew (Miranda) Stauffer of Moscow. Another daughter, Patti (Larry Fred) Gerling of Winfield, their children Saul of Amarillo, Texas – Emma, Akira, and Adelaide; Jon & Gladys Gerling Mia, Dallas and Emery of Crowley, Texas; and great-granddaughter Freyja Alvarez. He will be missed by his many nieces and nephews and their children.
The family would like to thank Hospice of Washington County for their caring guidance and support. Everyone was so extremely helpful and have left a place in our hearts. He appreciated all of them very much.