James William McCarty,98, was born on November 10, 1927, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to the late Rosalie Slagel and James Wilson McCarty.

James grew up in Summit, New Jersey with his two sisters, Jean and Jan. In 1945, when our nation called, ‘Jim’ answered and joined the United States Army  at the age of 18, serving in the Korean War. After his service, he returned briefly to Summit.  He then moved to Lakeland, Florida where he attended Florida Southern College, earning a Bachelor of Science degree.  While there, he joined the fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

It was there that he met Mary Patrick, a twin. He noticed her beauty from the start. She liked him and the sports car he drove, a 1934 Ford convertible.  They dated for 2 years and were married in 1950.  They would have 3 children: Marijean Green, Jim McCarty, and Patti Hankey. Life took them to Daytona Beach, Miami, Pompano Beach, and Brandon, where he continued his career in the insurance industry; then into Real Estate, where he worked into his 80’s.

Jim is remembered as a mild and kind man, deeply loyal to his wife and children.

Perhaps his most dramatic life story was the time when, in his early thirties, he went fishing off the coast of Fort Lauderdale. The boat got caught in a storm and they were unable to return to shore. The vessel eventually capsized. He and the others clung to the hull as the storm raged. He recalled praying and telling the Lord that, if he was allowed to live, he would serve the Lord the rest of his life.  He claims (and he was not prone to exaggeration that with the storm, all vessels had returned to port and there was no one to rescue them. It appeared hopeless. But then, a vessel, late in returning to port, saw their capsized vessel and risked the storm, going to them, and retrieving them all from the ocean. They made it safely to shore. God had spared his life. And Jim did serve the Lord for the rest of his life. He would learn the Scriptures and teach Sunday School classes. He would become ordained as a Deacon and serve in his local churches. Mary was always there to support him. To the very end of his life, he was attending Church until it became impossible. And then, there at Lexington Manor, he would gather with others to tune in to Jim’s Sunday’s Services and participate via their livestream.

Jim will be remembered fondly and respectfully by all. By the grace of God, in many ways, he became a good and faithful servant. Well done !

Graveside service will be held by the family on September 5, 2026, at Oak Hill Burial Park, Lakeland, Florida at 11:00 AM.

Friends may visit online at www.robersonfh.com to extend condolences to the family. Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory Port Charlotte Chapel