T. Ilderton Obituary

T. Carey Ilderton, Sr. HIGH POINT, NC - Mr. Thomas Carey Ilderton, Sr., 95, resident of High Point, died July 23, 2016 at Pennybyrn at Maryfield. Mr. Ilderton was born August 8, 1920 in Charleston, SC, a son to the late Horace G. and Marie Carey Ilderton. After moving to High Point in 1926, Carey graduated from High Point High School (now High Point Central) and later attended Duke University. Later he enlisted in the U.S. Army/Air Corps as a Lieutenant and served in New Guinea and Japan during World War II. While in the service, he married the former Eleanor Condon in 1942. Returning home in 1945, Carey was finally able to see his first born, 3-year-old T. Carey Ilderton, Jr., for the first time! Carey joined his father at his Dodge dealership he founded in 1926. There they became the #1 Dodge dealership in the nation for many years. Carey was president of Ilderton Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram in High Point and also Ilderton Conversion Company, started in 1972, as one of the first mobility dealerships in the United States. Carey was active in his church, Immaculate Heart of Mary and many organizations over the years. He was a member of Knights of Columbus, IHM Parrish Council, Rotary, past chairman of the High Point Merchants Association, past chairman of the North Carolina Auto Dealers Association and the Chrysler Dealer's board of directors. He also received the National Dealer of the Year award and the North Carolina Dealer Life Time Achievement Award. Carey loved Sullivan's Island, surf-fishing, hunting, all our cousins, Christmas morning, lunch at the club table at the String, teasing people, giving compliments to all women, but most of all he loved his Eleanor for over 72 years! Carey had a kind, loving heart and always lived by example. He taught his children to respect life and love God. Surviving are his six children, Patrick Condon Ilderton and wife Cheryl of Sullivan's Island, SC, Timothy Horace Ilderton and wife Linda of High Point, Stephen Frances Ilderton and wife Christine of High Point, Elizabeth Rose Ilderton of Mt. Pleasant, SC, James Vernon Ilderton of Mt. Pleasant, SC and Caroline Igoe Ilderton-Orvin and husband David of Charleston, SC; a brother, Clarence Ilderton, Sr.; grandchildren, Mary Briggs, Carter Ilderton, Condon Smith, Luke Ilderton, Sarah Mae Ilderton, Adam Ilderton, David Ilderton, Timothy Ilderton, Jr., Laura Naylor, Catherine Ilderton Martin, John Ilderton, Christopher Ilderton, Holli Ilderton, Matthew Ilderton, Gloria Ilderton, Rose Ilderton, McMillan Ilderton Gaither, William Carey Gaither, Grace Martin and Gloria Elizabeth Zoila Orvin; and daughter-in-law, Sandy Ilderton. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three children, Thomas Carey Ilderton, Jr., Eleanor Marie Ilderton and Gloria Carey Ilderton; a sister, Gloria Rochelle; a brother, H.G. Ilderton, Jr.; and a grandson, Thomas Carey Ilderton III. A memorial mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in High Point, with Reverend Joseph C. Zuschmidt, O.S.F.S. and Reverend Tom Norris, O.S.F.S. officiating. An inurnment will follow at the church columbarium. The Rosary will be recited from 5:00-5:30 p.m. Monday at the church and visitation will follow from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in St. Edward's Hall at the church. The family will also have a reception in St. Edward's Hall following the inurnment on Tuesday. Many thanks is extended to both the Smith House staff and the wonderful sisters at Pennybyrn at Maryfield, Comfort Keepers, particularly Paul Elliott (Karl), Ilderton employees and the String and Splinter for all the kindness given to Carey. Memorials may be directed to the building fund at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 4145 Johnson St., High Point, NC 27265. Cumby Family Funeral Service in High Point is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made through www.cumbyfuneral.com. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston