Kristopher Carey

Kristopher David Carey
Kristopher David Carey died Monday afternoon when the 1959 Kenworth water tanker he was driving rolled and the truck cab collapsed at the intersection of highway 62 and a logging road near Lost Creek Lake. Kris was 20 years old. A loving son to Janet Packard and Kevin Carey; a devoted brother to Ryan, Bryce and Aaryn Abbott; a long-time boyfriend and companion to Crystal Young; and a dependable grandson to Doug and Dorothy Plumley. Kris was very close with his family. Well known in Medford for his athletic prowess, Kris was a star on the football field, on the wrestling mat and on the track. It is not, his athletic abilities that people will remember him by, it's the way he made people feel and how he touched so many people's lives that will stay with us. Kris wore his heart on his sleeve; he never had a problem showing you he cared or standing up for what he believed in. Always with pure intentions and clear motivations, he had the authenticity of a child with the perspective of a man. Humble, hard working, stubborn, strong willed and passionate, Kris was always admired by his peers.
Kris's ambitions were never academic. With three older brothers obtaining advanced degrees, Kris was just as intelligent and capable as anyone, but chose to follow his own path. Kris was to be the one brother who would stay home, look after the family and carry on the logging company his grandfather had founded in 1952. He loved to be outdoors, to work in the woods and to get his hands dirty. Although he knew what he wanted, he also knew it would not be an easy path. Being the grandson only meant that he had to earn the respect of his coworkers and overcome the stigma of being family. He didn't want anything to be given to him. He started sweeping floors when he was just old enough to legally work and by the time he was graduating from high school he was maintaining a fleet of log trucks and operating numerous pieces of logging equipment and machinery. He was a natural leader and wanted to earn the responsibility that comes with managing a company, the responsibility to provide work and income for all those that rely on it.
Kris had a wonderful sense of humor, an incredible zest for life and was determined to get the most out of every moment. He was my younger brother, but I looked up to him for his strength of character, his authenticity and his big heart. An account, "Kris Carey Memorial Donation Account," has been set up at South Valley Bank and Trust to support local high school athletics since we all saw what athletics did for Kris. If you are interested in helping Kris give back to the athletic community, donations can be made in person at any South Valley Bank Location or by mail to: 891 O'Hare Parkway, Medford, OR 97501. Please make sure to list the above account as the payee; any questions please contact (541)774-1400. Kris's memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8th at Ascension Lutheran Church, 2617 E. Barnett Rd., Medford. Interment will take place at Hillcrest Memorial Park.