David Dale McCarthy

David Dale McCarthy, 91 of Chandler, Arizona and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, passed in his sleep on January 28, 2021 at his home in Arizona. "Dave" was preceded in death by his loving wife of 60 years, Roma J. McCarthy, his parents, David E. McCarthy and Nellie Thompson McCarthy, and siblings Maxine Mace, Thomas McCarthy and Marion McCarthy. He is survived by siblings "Peggy" Robinson and Barbara McCarthy, son Craig A. McCarthy, daughter-in-law Elizabeth T. McCarthy, and grandchildren Madison Elizabeth, Cormac Thomas and Teague David McCarthy, all of Phoenix, Arizona. Dave was born in Odessa, Missouri the day before the stock market crashed in 1929. He was raised on a farm and endured various depression-era hardships including poverty, polio, destruction of the family home by fire and his mother's long term hospitalization. Despite their humble environment, the McCarthys valued education and all six children obtained college degrees. Dave was the family "black sheep" in that he did not become a teacher like his five siblings nor did he stay in Missouri. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. from 1951-1954, Dave met Roma in Kansas City and the two were married in Clinton, Missouri, in 1959. The couple then moved to Colorado where Dave studied engineering and graduated from the University of Colorado in Boulder. Craig was born in 1963 in Colorado Springs and the family moved to Los Angeles in 1966 when Dave was promoted as a engineer for the U.S. Forest Service. In 1974, Dave was transferred with another promotion to Libby Montana and again in 1976 to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Dave passed up additional promotions to allow the family to put down roots in Northern Idaho and Dave and Roma grew to love the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest where they remained residents for 40 years and formed many friendships. After Dave's retirement, Dave and Roma built a second home in Chandler, Arizona which became their primary residence as the years went by. They again made many friends in their neighborhood and at church. Dave loved to restore 1958 Chevys and could build or fix virtually anything. He logged thousands of hours in his garages and tending to his yards which were always the most manicured and well kept in the neighborhood. He taught Sunday school, served as deacon and elder at church and loved to read in his spare time. He and Roma loved to work crossword puzzles by day and watch their beloved Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks by night. In recent years, Dave and Roma enjoyed their Arizona home and friends where they were able to watch their grandchildren grow. Dave and Roma were regulars at Madison and Cormac's gymnastics meets, Cormac and Teague's baseball games and Madison's dance programs. Dave was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and a humble servant to all who knew him. He was a gentleman in the true sense of the word and touched many lives with his quiet decency and understated consistency in all aspects of his life. He was a mentor and role model to many, a devoted and faithful husband, a loving and patient father and a doting and supportive grandfather. He will be missed but the family rejoices in the knowledge that "Papa" is now home with his savior and reunited with his beloved wife. Due to Covid-19, no formal services are planned at this time. Richardson Funeral Home, Tempe, Arizona is compassionately serving the McCarthy family.

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