Carey Mills Whitfield, Jr., 91, of Fredericksburg, Va., died on December 12, 2012 at his daughter's home in Gettysburg, Pa. He was the widower of the late Eleanor Ann Breneman Whitfield, who passed away in 2001 after they shared 51 years of marriage together.

Born in Rocky Mount, N.C. on November 6, 1921, he was the son of the late Cary M. and Annie I. Thomas Whitfield.

Carey and Eleanor resided in Oxon Hill, Md. for 25 years. In 1978, he retired from the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC after 36 years of service as an electrical engineer. He was a 66-year member of the Masonic Fraternity and a 32nd Degree Master Mason. Carey also served as treasurer of the Accakeek Sportsman Club of Stafford, Va. for 34 years and was an honorary member. He was also an honorary member of the American Legion.
Carey was a master watchmaker and was valued by friends and family as someone who could fix anything. He was very proud to receive a United States Patent on June 15, 1993 for "Method For Curing An Ink Design On A Cap".
A decorated World War II Veteran, he served in the United States Navy, South Pacific Theatre. His destroyer, the USS Luce (DD 522), was sunk in the Battle of Okinawa on May 4, 1945. Of the 312 men on board, Carey was one of 93 uninjured survivors.

He is survived by his daughter, Jane, wife of Tony Strickland, of Gettysburg; his son, Thomas B., husband of Elizabeth Whitfield, of Atlanta, Ga.; and four grandchildren, Julie A. Strickland, and Breneman, Alex and Jonathan Whitfield.

A service to celebrate the life of Carey Mills Whitfield, Jr. will be held at noon on Saturday, December 22, 2012 at Peters Funeral Home, 321 Carlisle Street, Gettysburg with the Reverend Stephen Herr officiating. An opportunity to share memories with the family will be held during the viewing on Saturday morning at 11am at the funeral home until the time of service. Interment will immediately follow the service in Evergreen Cemetery, Gettysburg.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Carey Mills Whitfield, Jr. may be made to one of two funds: Masonic Lodge 4, P.O. Box 702, Fredericksburg, Va. 22404 or to the Wounded Warrior Project c/o American Legion Post 202, 528 E. Middle Street, Gettysburg, Pa. 17325.

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