Robert Cary

Rev. Robert Lee “Bob” Cary, a retired ordained minister with the Church of God, passed away at his home on November 4th at the age of 89. He was a member of the North Cleveland Church of God.

Robert “Bob” was born in Logan, West Virginia, on September 4, 1935, along with his twin brother “Bill.” His father, Sidney, worked for the C&O Railroad for 44 years, and his mother, Georgia Ann, raised 5 boys. Three of them (Ernest, Lovell and Robert) were Church of God ministers and missionaries.

After graduating from Logan High School in 1953, he moved to Winter Haven, Florida, where he met the love of his life, Jeanette. They were married on May 28, 1954. Bob and Jeanette were active in the church where her father was the Pastor. Jeanette played the piano, and Bob taught Sunday School. He worked in the citrus fruit industry and became a skilled carpenter. Bob felt the call into ministry and received his Church of God Ministerial License in 1960. His pastorates in Florida included New Smyrna Beach, Port St. Joe, Dade City, and Alton. He served on the State Council and the Youth Board. Because of his love for Youth and the respect of his fellow Pastors, Bob was elected as the Florida State Youth Director.

In 1978, Bob and Jeanette presented themselves to the Church of God World Missions Board, and he was appointed as the Overseer of the Virgin and Leeward Islands and lived in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. He also served as a Missions Representative and Superintendent of Northeast Asia. During their retirement years, the Carys continued as Missionary Evangelists and have raised and distributed millions of dollars to projects around the world for orphanages, children’s feeding programs, Ministries to Native Americans and Israel, and building churches. Bob and Jeanette were inducted into the Pentecostal Theological Seminary Hall of Prophets in 2013 which provides scholarships for students.

Bob used his carpentry skills for the kingdom throughout his ministry to build two churches and a parsonage, his biggest achievement being the construction of the 1000-seat New Testament Church of God in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Bob was an avid sports fan. He loved attending all of his grandchildren’s various sports, as well as those at Lee University and local high schools.

Brother Cary, as he was lovingly called, touched many lives over his 65 years of ministry. He and Jeanette traveled to 75 countries spreading the Good News of the Gospel. He had an incredible God given talent for memorization, especially the Word of God. His sermon outlines were inspired by God and came to him through hours of dedicated study. The greatest influence he had was on his family. He leaves a lasting legacy of love and generosity for his family to follow. He will be missed greatly and will always be remembered as a Godly man who spent his life fulfilling the Great Commission.

Robert is preceded in death by his parents, Sidney Baxter and Georgia Ann, three infant sisters, and 4 brothers. He is survived by his beloved wife and partner in ministry of 70 years, Jeanette Cary of Cleveland, TN; children, Michael Cary (Vickie) of Dalton, GA, Linda Haney (Doug) of Albemarle, NC, and Ishmael Charles (Patricia) of Sunrise, Florida; grandchildren, Magen Purcell (Brennan) of Dalton, GA, Melinda Bugaiski (Phil) of Charlotte, NC, Lindsey Horton (John) of Jacksonville, FL, Logan Cary of Dalton, GA, Blake Whittington of Austin, Texas, Ishika Charles, of Sunrise, Florida, and Ishroy Charles (Allisa) of Fontana, CA; great-grandchildren, Anniston, Finn, Isaac, Simon, David, Grace and Faith. Sister-in-law, Betty Cary; nieces and nephews, Sharon Brown, Suzi Watts, Glenda Cary, Ernie Cary, Denise Wise, and Mark Cary.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to Church of God World Missions, Project #060-0095.