Thomas McCarthy, United States Marine Corps Veteran

Thomas McCarthy was born August 15, 1925 in Cleveland, Ohio and passed away May 9, 2011 in Temple, Texas.

Thomas graduated from Shaw High School in 1943. He served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II and was a member of Carlson’s Raiders.

After his service, he attended the University of Ohio and Harvard Business School. In 1951 he married Patricia Ann Fugedy and settled in Cleveland. He worked for Firestone and General Electric, before moving on to Wilsonart International in 1978. In 2001 an annual award was established in his name to honor the highest levels of achievement in Wilsonart's sales department.

On May 5, 1995 he married Mary Gwendoline Kellams. They were members of the Temple Wine Club, and Thomas was a member of the Lions Club and Rotary Club of Salado. He was preceded in death by his first wife.

Funeral services were held on May 16 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Temple, Texas. Present for the services were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags at the entrance.

After the service, the Riders led the funeral procession to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas. At the cemetery were other of the Riders and fifty American flags blowing in the Texas wind.

Also present was a bag piper, who played the Marine's Hymn as Thomas’ flag draped casket was moved from the funeral coach to the committal shelter.

A Catholic priest led the gathered family and friends in graveside service prayers.

The Marine bugler played taps, and the Marine Honor Guard folded the flag that draped the casket into a tight triangle, and presented it to Mary, on behalf of the President of the United States, the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps and a grateful nation, as thanks for Thomas’ faithful service to his country.

The piper then played the mournful “Amazing Grace” as he marched away.

Thomas McCarthy, United States Marine, was then laid to rest on the sloping plain of the cemetery. The American flag was at half-staff, in his honor, at the top of the hill above.


Left to cherish his memory are his wife, three sons, one daughter, a sister, five grandchildren and many other dear family and friends.

With thanks to the Temple Daily Telegram for biographical information.