Henry McCarty

1923 - 2010

Henry R. McCarty of Indio, Calif., formerly of San Diego, died November 17, 2010 in La Quinta, Calif. He was born on July 5, 1923 to Henry and Essie McCarty in Ada, Okla. He was preceded in death by his son, Henry R. McCarty III; and his brother, James McCarty. Henry married his wife Fran in 1977 in Imperial Beach, Calif. and they resided in several locations in San Diego County prior to moving to Palm Desert in 1996 and then Indio in 2004. He is survived by his wife, Fran; son, Ronald and grandson, Ron of San Diego; son, Michael and grandson, Brandon of Vista, Calif.; stepdaughter, Julie Hoff (Michael) and granddaughter, Emily of La Quinta; stepson, John Pace (Diane) and grandchildren, Evan, Shauna, Hannah, Molli, Sofie, Jes and Lily Alena of Springfield, Mo.; and sister-in-law, Carol McCarty of Flower Mound, Texas. Following his discharge from the U.S. Navy in 1946, he returned to Oklahoma to further his education, enrolled at East Central State University in Ada, where he graduated in 1948 majoring in chemistry. He obtained his Masters Degree in 1953 from Texas Tech University, majoring in School Administration and earned his Doctorate in 1959 from Texas Tech University majoring in School Management and Communications. After teaching in Texas and New Mexico he moved the family to San Diego in 1960 where he became Director of Media Services for the San Diego County Office of Education for27 years. He was instrumental in the establishment of instructional television educational programs for grades elementary through university level, obtaining government grants and overseeing television production and distribution of instructional television materials to the schools. In 1984 he was awarded a Proclamation by the San Diego Board of Supervisors for Distinguished Record of Public Service and a Resolution by California State Senator, Wadie P. Deddah, honoring him for 24 years of service to the schools of California. He also received the Pioneer's Award in 1986 citing his vision and leadership as a trailblazer in the development of distance learning to all children. Civic minded and politically active his entire life, Henry served on the City Council of Imperial Beach for eight years; committee member of San Diego County Regional Planning Group and Chairman of the Cable Review Commission for the County Board of Supervisors of San Diego. He was a lifelong Democrat and a member of the various Democratic Clubs where he resided, working on the local and national elections. His interest in growing roses over the years resulted in his becoming a Consulting Rosarian of the American Rose Society. He also became an accomplished rose arranger. He served as President of the Rose Societies in San Diego, Chula Vista and the Desert Rose Society in Palm Desert, and co-chaired the annual Desert Rose Show for nine years. Funeral services and internment will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, December 3, 2010 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 69855 East Ramon Road, Cathedral City, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Scholarship Fund of the Elks Lodge #1643 in Indio, Calif. with their appreciation.
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