Richard George McCarty Jr.

Dick was born February 5, 1939 in Emmetsburg, IA to Richard George McCarty, Sr. and Gertrude “Gertie” McCarty (Schumacher). His family, and his hometown, were proudly Irish-Catholic. The McCartys, and their community, were a loud, fun, and loving clan. He was born at home on the kitchen table, which the family would continue to gather around for meals for years after.

Dick attended St. Ellen’s Grade School and Emmetsburg High School, where he excelled on the football team. After graduating high school, he attended Wayne State Teachers College (now Wayne State College) in Wayne, NE.

In 1965, he met Cindy Sue Moser, a labor and delivery nurse. To make a strong impression on Cindy, he traded his Volkswagen Beetle for a Pontiac. Sufficiently impressed, Cindy agreed to a date. They were married in 1966 and honeymooned at Lake Okoboji, IA. Their daughters Patty and Amy were born in 1967 and 1970, respectively.

Dick’s first job after college was as a high school history teacher and assistant football coach. He went on to pursue a variety of different jobs, mainly in sales, where he honed his legendary people skills. He found his career calling in 1980 when he joined Edward Jones Investments as the company’s 300th (approximately) Financial Advisor (there are now more than 17,000 in North America) in Algona, IA. In 1985, Dick moved the family to Raleigh, NC to help expand Edward Jones’ presence on the East Coast.

While at Jones, Dick was honored with a number of accolades and leadership positions, including Regional Leader (go Region 28!), Limited Partner and General Partner. He helped to recruit and mentor hundreds of financial advisors in his 26 years at the firm and was beloved by his clients and colleagues alike. Dick approached his work with kindness, encouragement, contagious optimism, and a sense of humor. He had a way of making everyone in his life – colleagues, friends, and family members – feel special, important, and loved.

Dick loved meeting new people and exploring new places. He and Cindy traveled the world together – from Big Sky, Montana to the Cliffs of Moher to the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. Dick made friends everywhere they went.

Dick was an artist. He had an eye for color and a talent for carving beautiful, realistic ducks and songbirds. Dick was known to give birds to loved ones and friends celebrating happy occasions or dealing with hardship. To get a bird from Dick was a big deal.

Above all, Dick loved his family. Cindy was his partner in everything, and his daughters were his pride and joy. He was proud to be called “Grandpa” by grandchildren Perry, Quinn, Aidan and Ben. He was happiest with his whole crew around him, laughing and telling stories that were mostly true.

In 2017, Dick and Cindy relocated to The Cardinal at North Hills and started a new adventure. Dick was thrilled for all his new friends among the residents and staff. He relished afternoons playing pool with his buddies or teaching fellow residents how to cook delicious meals using only their microwave ovens.

Dick is survived by his wife of 55 years Cindy, daughter Patricia Ann Carter and her husband Britt, daughter Amy Lyn Iddings and her husband Waylon, granddaughter Perry West Carter, and grandsons Quinn McCarty Carter, Aidan Lucas Iddings, and Benjamin Richard Iddings; sister Barbara Lukavsky and partner Byron Browne, sister Martha McCarty, sister-in-law Frances McCarty, nephews Kent Yocum, Jeff Yocum, JD McCarty, Collin McCarty, and their families. He was predeceased by his parents, brother Gerald “Jerry” McCarty, nephew Scott Kempton, and brother-in-law Gene Lukavsky.

A memorial service for Dick will be held at 1PM on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at Grace Lutheran Church in Raleigh with an interment at the Grace Lutheran Memorial Garden and a reception immediately to follow. Since Dick had a flair for color, the family asks that you wear any color that makes you happy. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Endowment Scholarship Fund at Grace Lutheran Church or the American Heart Association.

Grace Lutheran Church - 5010 Six Forks Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609 ; (919) 787-1815 http://gracelutheranraleigh.org

American Heart Association; www.heart.org