Dennis W. McCarthy

Dennis William McCarthy, loving husband, adored father, doting grandparent and lifelong Catholic, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Thursday, November 25, 2010. By no coincidence did he pass on Thanksgiving Day, one of his most favorite holidays, which he always joyously celebrated with his wonderful family. He was born in Falls City, Nebraska on February 15, 1925 and spent almost half of his life in Corpus Christi where he attended Corpus Christi College Academy-Incarnate Word. At the young age of 17, he joined the war effort and enlisted in the United States Army Air Force with the dream of becoming a pilot. By age 18, Dennis had earned his wings and was training and flying B-17's and B-25’s at bases in California, New Mexico, Arizona and Greenland during World War II. He had so many fond memories of the time he proudly served his country, and the friendships he developed with his fellow patriots. After the war ended, he graduated from St. Mary's University in San Antonio. He continued his service, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and retiring from the U.S. Air Force Reserves in 1973. After college, Dennis returned to Corpus Christi and followed in the footsteps of his father, trading oil for Sun Company and later trading and brokering independently. He met his true love, Flo Delmarene Parker, affectionately known as “Doodle” on a blind date in early 1958 and they married August 22nd of that year. Del was the love of his life and he always gave her credit for his success in business. In 1964, they relocated to Houston and Dennis continued to advance in the oil & gas industry. In 1967, he acquired a tract of land on Upriver Road in Corpus Christi, which was being sold as scrap metal, and with his vision, drive and determination, he built Saber Refinery. Guided by his wisdom and faith, and lots of Luck of the Irish, Saber prospered and expanded, no small feat during the oil crisis of the 1970‘s and was known for its annual St. Patrick’s Day Party, the highlight of the year for many in Houston’s oil & gas industry. In 1981, he partnered with Valero Energy and the humble refinery he founded in 1967 would soon become one of the largest and most state of the art refineries in the nation. It was his engaging personality and wit, as well as his keen negotiating skills that made him a formidable force in the oil industry. He was respected and admired by the many people he employed and by all those whose lives he touched. Retirement was never an option for an ambitious deal maker like Dennis, and he continued to run several drilling and exploration companies until his passing with his two son-in-laws, Marc Sigel & Mark Carney, which included Del Petroleum and Carmac Energy. In his leisure time, Dennis and his family enjoyed traveling together and road trips across the United States were some of their most treasured times. He and Del also enjoyed traveling with their many friends. Cruises were a favorite pastime with dinners at the Captain’s Table, dancing to the sounds of Big Bands, and enjoying fine cuisine. Weekly bridge games with lifelong friends at home or at Lakeside Country Club in Houston were also some of their most enjoyable times. Dennis loved the outdoors and spent many a hunting season at his lease in Burnet, Texas. His favorite moments came at the end of the day when his buddies would all gather around the campfire, smoke cigars, enjoy a libation and tell stories about one another. He is grateful to the Fields family for providing this land that gave years of enjoyment to all those who attended. Dennis also owned and operated SA-BAR ranch in Flatonia, Texas where numerous Thanksgiving celebrations and family gatherings were held at the beautiful family retreat. He raised cattle as well as hydroponic tomatoes and peaches, most of which were consumed by the dozens of deer that roamed the fabulous property. He also enjoyed many great times with his friends fishing at Key Allegro in Rockport and was very proud of all the redfish he caught and deliciously prepared for family and friends. In 2008, Dennis and Del decided to make Dallas their home and the two glorious years he spent here with his family were no doubt golden. He loved Dallas and both his daughters and grandchildren were so fortunate to spend such precious time with sweet, generous “Bo”or “Papa”, as he was affectionately known. Dennis was a member of the National Petroleum Refiners Association, served on numerous boards including Corpus Christi National Bank, St. Mary’s Board of Trustees, and was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus at St. Mary’s University in 1985. His many charitable interests included Camp Sweeney, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Center, The American Cancer Society & The Cattle Barons Ball, The Crystal Charity Ball, and The Smile Train as well as scholarship programs for needy students. He was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Houston and then Christ The King Church in Dallas and was a member of both the Houston and Dallas Petroleum Clubs. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cyril & Irene McCarthy, his brother Jimmy McCarthy and sisters Mary McCarthy and Jackie Hanson as well as his lifelong best friend of 80 years, Jimmie Till. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Del Parker McCarthy as well as his two devoted and adoring daughters, Karen McCarthy Carney and Connie McCarthy Sigel and their spouses, Mark Carney and Marc Sigel, grandsons Robert, Patrick & William Carney, Hunter Sigel and granddaughter Kendell Sigel. A Catholic Mass and celebration of his life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, November 29, 2010 at Christ The King Catholic Church, 8017 Preston Road, with burial at Sparkman-Hillcrest immediately following the service. Memorials may be sent in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or Incarnate Word Academy, 2920 South Alameda, Corpus Christi, TX 78404.