OBITUARY

Martin Marty L. McCarley Jr.

April 20, 1932May 15, 2016
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Major Martin Lloyd McCarley Jr, passed away peacefully in the presence of his family on May 15th, 2016,in Austin, Texas. Born to Martin Lloyd Sr and Mildred Myrtis McCarley in Columbia, South Carolina on April 20th, 1932, he had celebrated his recent 84th birthday. As a man who has a relationship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we know that his time on earth is not an end, but a beginning.

Although he retired in Austin, Texas, his early years were spent in South Carolina. He attended The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina in Charleston, as an underclassman cadet. He then completed his BA at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, his home city. In college he was an active member of his fraternity, Sigma Nu, and yet found time to work as a page for the South Carolina Legislature at the Capital building. It was his time serving in the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) at college, which set him on a career in the United States Air Force and moved him out of the Carolinas. He served 22 years as an American military officer, retiring with the rank of Major.

While serving as a young officer at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery Alabama, he met and married the love of his life, Claudia Joan Jenkins, on June 1, 1957. For over 58 happy years they were husband and wife. Together they resided in a number of cities before settling in Austin, Texas with their five children. He was blessed to have ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He is survived by his devoted wife, Claudia, Cris and Kim Johnston, Lloyd and Brenda McCarley, David and Tracie McCarley, Scott and April McCarley, Trent McCarley and Linda Wiggers.

Once in Texas, Marty made the state his home. He earned a Master in Business Administration fromTexas State University in San Marcos, Texas, one of several fine universities in the Austin area. In addition to the excellent educational opportunities, Austin is known for its sports and recreation, in which he actively participated. He was an avid runner, cyclist, and triathlete; participating in many races and events over the years, earning his fair share of awards. He later picked up golf as his favorite exercise, which he occasionally played with his children as partners. It was on his 80th birthday, playing golf with his five children, that he had his first and only hole-in-one.

His was a genteel manner, reminiscent of a southern hospitality, given with a slight South Carolina accent that never completely disappeared. For a short period of time after retirement, he was a gentleman rancher in the nearby town of Georgetown, Texas. He had a few sheep and goats, watched over by a large white Pyrenees and an English sheepdog. However, he never liked to send animals to market; instead he added a small volunteer herd of white tail deer to his daily livestock feeding. It was part of his gentle nature to care for and appreciate those around him. Eventually he returned to the big city of Austin and the neighborhood where he had raised his children. All of whom have settled in the city and who were close at hand for his final goodbye.

Services

  • Memorial Service

    Thursday, May 19, 2016

Memories

Martin Marty L. McCarley Jr.

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Kim Johnston

August 15, 2016

My message about my Dad
Thank you all for coming today. This is going to be hard for me so I've written down what I would like to say.
It means a lot that you are here to show your support and love for my Dad.
I would like to thank so many people that recently touched my Dad. Janie, Kenny, Steven, Dr. Kravitz, Dr. Baker and all of his medical staff. We appreciate all that you did for him.
You may have met him recently or known him for years, you know what a cut up he could be. He would begin to tell a joke and have to pause to laugh - he would be tickled because he knew the upcoming punch line. Mom would laugh and follow it up with "your awful", due to some of the joke(s) content.
Dad was a great story teller and even more enjoyed hearing them.
A many of many words and yet a man of few words - to me filled with wisdom.
I'm grateful that my parents made it through four boys and had me. Five kids tested his patience and gave him many worries - yet repaid to him with many blessings: our spouses, grand children and great grand children. I would call him and would barely get out "Hey Dad" and he would be asking about Brook. "How's Brook, tell me about her golf, what did she shoot, when does she come home......"
I could go on.
We know how wonderful he was. His illness kept his body from doing many of the things he loved. Today he is where he can do all those things. Thankfully in the end his mind allowed him to know how much he was loved.
I will always treasure our relationship -
Love and miss you Daddy

Kim Johnston

August 11, 2016

Trent McCarley

July 26, 2016

Dad,

These are my thoughts to you on the day of your memorial Service:

Id like to say a few words about my dad, and relate a few stories that show the kind of man that he was .
As a young man , being in the military , he was pretty strict, .. he was the enforcer in our house . Having 5 kids , 4 boys and a girl, we were pretty rough for mom to handle , and I know that all of us can remember the wait till your father gets home! I know I personally had worn 5-6 pairs of underwear just before dad got home on many occasions!.

I guess his firm discipline and loving heart worked well, because he and mom raised a close and loving family , that even when we disagree, always come back together to support each other

As we got older I got to see Dad as a much different person, His true gentle nature started to come out. His love for animals and his genuine concern for others.

I learned that My dad was a man who had a gentle soul, a loving heart and always a kind word for everyone. I don't ever recall him saying anything negative about anyone, he always managed to find the good in everyone , without judgement.

I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with Dad over the past five or six years, and he made a great impression on me as to how a man should live and love.

He has always had a quiet way about him , a southern gentleman through and through, but with a quick wit and a subtle sense of humor that would just come through at the most unexpected moments .

We would golf once a week and then go back to the house . And he would come out of his bedroom with a handful of dimes to settle up on the game 10 cents a hole , for the down payment on that new sports car, he would say.

But what particularly struck me about him was watching how he and mom were together .

I never witnessed them ever really angry with each other , and others have commented many times on how loving they always seemed to one another. There had to be a secret to making a marriage last for 59 years and still have that level of love and respect for one another .

Well, dad revealed that secret , with his typical unassuming sense of humor, when he was asked to come up front and tell the secret of a long and happy marriage at Daniel and Ali Deleon's wedding a couple years ago. He contemplated thoughtfully for a moment and said this well , we always had a rule that we never would go to bed mad at each otherand you know, sometimes we just never went to bed at all!
I loved my dad with all my heart, and I will miss him greatly, but I am proud that he taught me the best of him and how too love and live, and to treat others .
I have many, many found memories of him that will carry with me for the rest of my life.

I love you and miss you very much Dad - Trent , Always Faithful

Trent Mccarley

July 26, 2016

Dad,

I will always cherish the time that we spent together for the last six years. Playing golf together, making big bets on every hole, having cook outs with you and Mom and Linda and our kids.

I am also so glad that I was able to be there with you in your last year when you fought such a brave battle against cancer.

I admire your strength and compassion and your ability to always show kindness and caring to everyone around you. I hope for and strive to be as good a father, a husband and a friend as you have taught me that a man should be.

I leave you with this blessing until I see you again:

May the warm rays of sun fall upon you and your family
May your children's children know you
May pure be the joys that surround you
May true be the hearts that love you
And may the hand of a friend always be near
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.

I love you and will miss you very much.

-Trent

Kathy McCoy

May 19, 2016

Claudia, please accept my heartfelt sympathy. Although I did not know your husband, I have always treasured your friendship and our conversations. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Sharon Leitzell

May 19, 2016

Claudia, we are so sorry for your loss. I remember seeing you both at SWBC at times and always admired you both for your great love for the Lord and each other. We are praying for you,
the Leitzell family (Shirley's daughter Sharon)

SMB

May 19, 2016

My thoughts and prayers are with you all. He was a very sweet and nice man, I always enjoyed talking with him at the picnics. I fondly remember the time he won bingo and he let loose that wonderful smile!

Bill McCarty

May 19, 2016

All "McCarley's" I deeply regret being unable to be there today, but please know that our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I always enjoyed visiting with your dad at all of our functions and will miss him, but he will always be with us in spirit.

Edie Williams

May 19, 2016

To all the McCarley's - I am glad to have gotten to know Mr. McCarley, your family will be in my prayers! May he Rest in Peace.

Teri Shipper

May 19, 2016

I'm so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

FROM THE FAMILY
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Dad's 84th birthday party at home

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FROM THE FAMILY