A larger-than-life character who ran his life on high octane, John “Captain Jack” Carey ’71, was killed July 17 while mountain biking near his home in Ophir, Colorado. Jack was a Keene native who came to KSC after a hitch in the Air Force. While on campus, he played varsity basketball and was a Kappa Delta Phi brother.

Not long after graduation, he made his way out to the Telluride area, where he became a legend as a skier and hang glider. One of his fraternity brothers, Gordi Davis ’72, remembered that Jack got his “Captain” nickname after doing a hang-gliding commercial for Coors beer in the late 70s. Jack was the first person to soar over 20,000 feet in a hang glider.

The Telluride Watch had a nice article, with slideshow, on Captain Jack, and ESPN also did an informative obituary with a fascinating video.

We bet there are some other great Jack stories out there. Please use the “comments” link below to send us your memories of this remarkable alum.