Thomas J. McCarthy

Services for Thomas J. McCarthy, 85, Temple/Salado were held Monday, May 16, St. Luke’s Catholic Church, Temple, TX.   Burial  with honors was held at Texas State Veteran Cemetery the same day.

Tom was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Thomas J. McCarthy and Margaret Brennan on August 15, 1925.

Tom joined the Marines after graduation from Shaw high school in 1943.  He was a member of the Carlson’s Raiders, an elite unit established by the  “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Marine_Corps” United States Marine Corps during  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II) World War II .    (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evans_Carlson) Carlson’s Raiders of 2nd Marine Raiders Battalion are said to be the first  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Special_Operations_Forces) United States Special Operations Forces to form and see combat in World War II.  

Upon returning from the war, he entered the University of Ohio and subsequently attended Harvard Business School.

Tom married Patricia Ann Fugedy in 1951 and settled in Cleveland, first working for Firestone as their sales manager and then joined Textolite Division of GE for the next 25 years.  He was a Regional Sales manager before moving to Wilsonart International in 1978.  Tom is credited with creating many new applications for laminate products pioneering the way for Wilsonart into many USN and USCG material specifications, and some of those specs are still being followed today. Tom was also the founder of many Wilsonart specifications for train cars, rail cars and buses all over North America. Tom’s diligence, professionalism, and his famous Irish charm served him well with his clientele. Tom enjoyed mentoring young architectural sales representatives throughout his career. In 2001 an annual award was established in his name to honor the highest levels of achievement in Wilsonart sales department. The Thomas J McCarthy award is presented annually to recognize the very best performers in the sales area, and to honor the legacy of one of the finest men ever to represent Wilsonart.

  Tom married Mary Gwendoline Kellams in Michigan on May 5,1995.  They were active members of the Temple Wine Club since Tom was a connoisseur of wines and gourmet foods, frequently offering his expertise in fine wine selections.

He was an active member of the Lions Club and Rotary Clubs of Salado, where he took great pride in mentoring children in Salado schools.  

Tom is preceded by his first wife, Patricia, brother Jerry, and sisters Colletta Doyle and Kathleen Farrell.

Tom is survived by his wife, Gwendoline, three sons Gerry McCarthy, Danville, CA, Michael and Annette McCarthy, Wilsonville, OR and Kevin Mc Carthy, Denver, CO, and one daughter, Kathleen Marie and husband Ed Kabobel,Jr. Temple, TX.  He has 5 grandchildren, Heather Marie McCarthy, Oakley, CA, Sean Michael and Ryan Thomas McCarthy, Wilsonville, OR and Meagan Kelly and Patricia Gwen Kabobel, Temple, TX.and his sister, Rosemary Roche,of Ohio.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society,  (http://www.cancer.org/involved/donate/donateonlinenow/ind” www.cancer.org/involved/donate/donateonlinenow/ind or the Ralph Wilson Scholarship Fund, 10501 NW HK Dodgen Loop, Temple, TX. 76504.

A Celebration of Life for Tom will be held at the Inn on the Creek, Salado, Sunday, May 15, from 4PM to 7PM.

Broecker Funeral Home of Salado is in charge of arrangements.