Martin Jeffrey “Jeff” Carden

Martin Jeffrey "Jeff" Carden passed away suddenly on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2025 at OSU East hospital. It was appropriate because Jeff deeply and passionately loved his family, his friends and his animals. He was full of life, full of sass and full of fun. Jeff loved to be the center of attention and the star of every show. When Jeff arrived, the party could begin! Silly hats and fun gadgets were his trademarks. He could make friends and start conversation with anyone. Kids and older adults adored him.
Although he had a political science degree from Miami University in Ohio, after college he started in sales and marketing, leading to a career in the hotel industry. He was the Director of Sales for hotels in Cincinnati, Nashville and Las Vegas. He returned to Columbus when his mother, Mary Jo Carden, began suffering from alzheimer's disease. This move led him to transition to a role as a sales manager for a Columbus senior living facility. He fell in love with the residents and it brought out the compassionate, deeper side of fun-loving Jeff. His work at the facility and his own mother's experience made him a strong advocate for the Alzheimer's Association of Columbus. The annual "Walk for Alzheimer's" became a regular event on his calendar and he encouraged everyone he knew to participate.
Not everyone knows that Jeff was the adopted son of Milton and Mary Jo Carden because they never let him feel that way. (Athough his big brother Michael loves to say that he got to "pick him out" from a children's home in Tampa, Florida.) Later, his sisters Melanie and Melissa completed the family of six and they followed his lead into mischief. They were a very close family as they moved every two years because of Milton's work. Laughter, music and swim team competitions were always a part of their family stories. Jeff was a good student, a thespian and the drum major for Westerville South High School, class of 1979. Jeff never married or had children of his own, but he doted on all of his nephews, nieces, and great-nieces and nephews who have fun memories of "Uncle Jeff". Their birthdays and Christmases were his favorite days.
His friends are scattered all over the United States and he loved when he could reconnect with them. He could make you feel like the days and the miles between you didn't matter at all. The laughter and love was the same! No one will be able to fill the hole that he will leave in all of our circles.
Visitation will be held Monday, February 24th from 6-8 PM at Moreland Funeral Home 55 East Schrock Road, Westerville, OH 43081.
In lieu of flowers, his family prefers donations to be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Columbus in his name. https://www.alz.org/centralohio