Carey compiled a classy home-town ton against England on Wednesday's opening day of the third Test in Adelaide.
The left-hander reached his third century in Test cricket and looked to the heavens - his father Gordon passed away from leukaemia in September.
The feat took Carey past specialist batsmen Steve Smith and Travis Head as Australia's most prolific Test run-maker this calendar year.
Carey was dismissed for 106, taking his tally this year to 671 runs, ahead of next-best Smith (618) and Head (589).
And his latest achievement at No.6 in the order justified Carey's desire to bat as high as possible.
The South Australian's highest Test score - 156 against Sri Lanka in Galle in February - came at No.5 in the order.
Carey was lifted from his usual No.7 slot to bat a rung higher in the second Ashes Test in Brisbane - and made a crucial 63 in Australia's first innings.
And again in Adelaide, the 34-year-old who is considered the world's best wicketkeeper revelled in responsibility with the bat.
"I'd always like to bat as high up the order as I can," Carey said entering the Adelaide Test.
"I do it for the Sheffield Shield, I bat No.5 and at times No.4.
"I love batting.
"I also understand that in Australia there are lots of amazing batters, and if it's down at No.7 that's absolutely fine too.
"We're a little bit spoilt for choice ... but, yeah, I love batting as high as possible."
The all-time Australian record for most Test runs in a calendar year is held by Michael Clarke, who scored 1595 at 106.33 in 2012.
Of batsmen from any nation, Pakistan's Mohammad Yousuf holds the overall record with 1788 runs at 99.33 in 2006.
Carey increased his batting average from his 46 Tests to 36.16 - only Adam Gilchrist (47.60) has a higher batting average of Australia's Test glovemen.
AUSTRALIA'S TOP TEST RUN-SCORERS THIS CALENDAR YEAR
* Alex Carey: 671 runs at 51.61
* Steve Smith: 618 at 58.43
* Travis Head: 589 at 34.64
* Usman Khawaja: 545 at 38.92
* Beau Webster: 381 at 34.63
24°C