Ralph McCartney

Ralph F. McCartney, 82, of 1828 Cedarview Dr., Charles City died Saturday, March 10, 2007 at the Floyd County Memorial Hospital, following a lengthy illness.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, (March 14, 2007) at First Congre-gational Church, 502 N. Jackson St., in Charles City, with Rev. Phil Corr officiating. Interment will be in the Riverside Cemetery in Charles City. Military honors will be accorded by the Charles City Ceremonial Unit. Immediately following the interment, a reception will take place at the church.
The family will greet friends and relatives from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. today at the Fullerton-Hage Funeral Home, 401 Blunt St. in Charles City. The visitation will continue on Wednesday at the church, one hour prior to Ralph's service.
Ralph Farnham McCartney was born December 11, 1924, in Charles City, the son of Ralph C. and Helen (Farnham) McCartney. He graduated from Charles City High School in 1942 and from 1943 to 1945 served in the U.S. Army, 89th Division, during World War II. After attending Iowa State University and Cornell University, he graduated from the University of Michigan Law school, J.D., 1960, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
He was united in marriage to Rhoda Mae Huxsol on June 25, 1950, in Charles City. Following two years as a member of the law firm Heuber and Miller in Des Moines, he and Rhoda returned to Charles City where, in 1952, he co-founded the Frye and McCartney law firm with partner Jack Frye, a position he held for 26 years.
He represented Floyd County in the Iowa House of Representatives during the 62nd and 63rd General Assemblies (1967-1970) and served as House Majority Leader during his second term. Following one term as a member of the Iowa State Board of Regents (1970-1972, he represented the 7th district in the Iowa State Senate during the 65th General Assembly (1973-1974). In December 1978 Gov. Robert Ray appointed him District Court Judge and from 1987 to 1992, served as chief judge for the Second Judicial District of Iowa. He was named senior judge for the State Court of Appeals in 1992.
Ralph F. McCartney was a member of the Iowa Judges Association, the Twelfth Judicial District Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the American Judicature Society and the Iowa State Bar Association. He served on the Judicial Coordinating Committee of the Iowa Supreme Court and chaired the Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Administration of Clerks. In 1995 he received the prestigious Award of Merit from the Iowa Judges Association.
He was a member of the First Congregational Church, where he served on its building committee and chaired the Prudential Board. He was also a member of St. Charles Masonic Lodge #141 and Consistory, the Floyd County Historical Society, Charles City Art Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, B.P.O.E. and the American Legion. He served on the board of directors of the Lincoln Club, United Fund, Salvation Army and the Charles City YMCA, was past president of the Lions Club, and a member of the Charles City Savings and Loan Association. In 1971 he served as Honorary Colonel for the inauguration of Gov. Robert Ray, chaired the Republican State Convention the following year and was the Iowa director for President Gerald Ford's election campaign in 1976.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Rhoda; two sons, Ralph (Lise) McCartney of Washington, D.C., David McCartney and his partner, (James Petersen) of Iowa City; a daughter, Julia (Leonard) Deutchman of Philadelphia, PA and one granddaughter, Sarah Deutchman of Scranton, PA.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents; Ralph C. and Helen (Farnham) McCartney.
Those wishing to extend memorials may direct them to the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy, P.O. Box 130, Camp Dodge, Johnston, IA 50131-0130; the First Congregational Church U.C.C., 502 N. Jackson St., Charles City, IA 50616; the McCartney Center, in C/O of Ann Troge, 1208 Clark St., Charles City, IA 50616 or to the charity of the donor's choice.
The family expresses its gratitude to the wonderful staff at Riverside Assisted Living and the Floyd County Memorial Hospital, Charles City, for their assistance and support.
Condolences, stories or thoughts may be sent to the family in the care of Fullerton Funeral Home online at www.fullertonfh.com.