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Rose Funeral & Cremation - Mann

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Knoxville, Tennessee

BRUCE MCCARTY Obituary

MCCARTY, BRUCE - age 92, of Knoxville, passed away Saturday January 5, 2013. He was founder and senior designer (retired 2010) at McCarty Holsaple McCarty Architects of Knoxville, Tennessee. During a career that has spanned more than a half-century, he had designed some of the city's iconic landmarks, and had been the city's most dedicated champion of modern architecture. Buildings designed or co-designed by Bruce include the Lawson McGhee Library, Knoxville City County Building, University of Tennessee Humanities Complex, Clarence Brown Theatre, and University of Tennessee Art and Architecture Building, which he co-designed with his son Doug, the Knoxville waterfront, the Bank of America building and the Ijams Nature Center. Bruce was also the master architect for the 1982 World's Fair. He was born in South Bend, Indiana, the third of four sons to Earl H. and Hazel B. McCarty. Bruce McCarty was raised in Kenosha and Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. His father, Earl McCarty was president of the Nash Motor Company during the 1930s.
Bruce attended Princeton University in the early 1940s, where he studied sculpture under noted sculptor and boxer, Joe Brown. Following the outbreak of World War II, he left Princeton and joined the US Army Air Force. He first arrived in Knoxville for military training in 1943, and met his wife of 67 years, Julia Elizabeth Hayes on a blind date. He was later stationed in California as a P-38 pilot. On April 5, 1945 Bruce married Elizabeth Hayes of Knoxville in Santa Rosa, California and they returned to Knoxville. They have three children; Bruce Hayes McCarty married to Hope Kahler of Reston, VA, Douglas Hayes McCarty married to Jane Chambers of Knoxville and Sarah Elizabeth McCarty married to Richard Barrett of Santa Fe, NM; six grandchilden, Lane Elizabeth McCarty and Lauren Lee McCarty of Knoxville, Ryan Hayes McCarty of Shrewsbury, PA, Sarah McCarty Matzen of Hermosa Beach, CA, Roger Kahler II of Arlington, VA and Krissy Kahler of Reston, VA and six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Stuart McCarty and wife Mary. His two older brothers predeceased him, Von McCarty and Macyln McCarty who is survived by his wife Marj McCarty. Bruce had many honors over the years, including: 1959 Certificate of Award for Outstanding Civic Activities from Gulf State AIA, 1965-70 Board of Metropolitan Planning Commission (Knoxville TN), 1970-90 Who's Who in the United States, 1982 McCarty Bullock Holsaple receives Mayor's Award for 1982 World's Fair, 2000 Volunteer of the Year Award from the University of Tennessee, 2011 Silver Medal from the University of Tennessee Faculty and Tau Sigma Delta of the College of Architecture and Design, to name a few. A celebration of Bruce's life will take place at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 8, at Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends following the service in the Barron Hall. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, it was Bruce's desire to make contributions to the East Tennessee Community Design Center (ETCDC) at 1300 N. Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37917 (865-525-9945) Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel. Online condolences at www.rosemortuary.com.

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Published by Knoxville News Sentinel from Jan. 7 to Jan. 8, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for BRUCE MCCARTY

25 Entries

Bo Roberts

January 9, 2023

In my book and at dozens of appearances related to 40th anniversary of 1982 World's Fair I always included praise and appreciation for my friend and major contributor, the classy Bruce McCarty.

Nancy & Ray Guay

January 10, 2013

Elizabeth, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Nancy & Ray Guay

January 9, 2013

Mrs. McCarty and Sarah, I just recently heard of Mr. McCarty's passing. Your family was always so kind and generous to me when Sarah and I were at Southwestern. My husband Mike and I still live in Gatlinburg. When it is convenient I would love to visit and to reconnect with Sarah. My email is [email protected]. Sincerely, Molly Enloe Hicks

January 9, 2013

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Bruce. I enjoyed talking and working with him. He will be missed by all and my thoughts and prayers will be with Doug and family

Gene Pratt

Janie Nabors

January 8, 2013

I loved working with Bruce, such a great designer and a wonderful person to teach the young guns how to really be a great architect. I will miss him greatly. Proud to say I got to work for Bruce McCarty.

January 8, 2013

Bruce McCarty was a wonderful person in general and a great person to work for. I worked for MHM for over 7 years. My prayers go out to Elizabeth, Doug and his entire family.

Bo Roberts

January 8, 2013

I just learned of Bruce's passing, My best to Elizabeth and Doug and others in the family. I have so many positive memories of my association with Bruce, and overall I think of him as a classy guy whose demeanor almost overshadowed his enormous talent. So much of the early survival of the 1982 World's Fair was due to Bruce's faith that it would happen...my favorite story was in an early meeting when a Federal official asked Bruce and Bill
Cannon of Barge Wagoner Engineering what was their position with the Fair, Bruce's response was "unsecured creditor!" Rest well my friend, your imprint lives on.

William Campbell

January 8, 2013

In a fifteen minute presentation to the Building Committee of the Tennessee Theatre Foundation, Bruce mapped the objectives and goals that resulted in its recognition as THE STATE THEATRE of TENNESSEE. Momuments to his practice and creativity abound throughout our community. We shall remember his skills and the results thereof.

William B. Campbell,PhD,PE
Chairman, Building Committee
Tennessee Theatre Foundation

January 8, 2013

A frendly smile and a warm hand shake is what I will always remember about Bruce.
In my past 35 years or so of private practice and working at UT I think I meet him a couple of times,and when you talked with him he very seldome if ever had an unkind word.As an architect I appreciated his vision for the Knoxville Campus. His design work was alwas first class and added a modern touch to a Campus that needed a step toward the future.
He will be missed.

Doug Lowrie, Knoxville,TN

Beauvais Lyons

January 8, 2013

For the past 27 years I have had the pleasure of teaching in the Art and Architecture Building at UTK. This is a place where creative work is done, and it feeds my spirit every day. Thank you Bruce for your vision of this building as a place to work, teach and learn.

Beauvais Lyons
Chancellor's Professor
UTK School of Art

Lansing King

January 8, 2013

I realize that I've known him for over half my life.He was one of the architect/mentors I met when
I came here to go to school.

I got to work with him for a too-short time and hear some of his
stories like the time he flew the P-38 under the Golden Gate. I wish I could have heard more.

I loved him as so many did.
He was as close as I've ever known to a perfect man.

Kathy Knight

January 8, 2013

Doug and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Sally Nichols

January 8, 2013

Bruce McCarty was not only a great architect; he was a true gentleman and an excellent mentor. When I worked for MHM, he took the time to help a young intern architect. I have never forgotten the lessons and pass them on to my students. My prayers and thoughts go out to Elizabeth, Jane, Doug and their entire family. Bruce will be greatly missed by all.
Sally Summers Nichols AIA

Rita DeCelles

January 7, 2013

Hayes and family, May God bless you all in your time of sorrow.

Faithe Dinger

January 7, 2013

I was so saddened to hear of Mr. McCarty's passing. My condolences and prayers to all the McCarty family.

Loy Waldrop

January 7, 2013

A great man and a great architect who gave much to his profession and community. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and his profession.

Bob & Kathy Proctor

January 7, 2013

Bruce McCarty leaves a legacy in our area that touches so many people...through the homes and buildings he designed, the 1982 World's Fair that brought the world to Knoxville, and through his children and grandchildren who have his vision for design. He set a high standard for our community and we are all enriched by his generosity and creativity. East Tennessee is a better place because he called it his home. Thank you!

January 7, 2013

After meeting Mr. McCarty in 2007, when our law firm moved across the hall from his office, I was intrigued by this older man that would always nod and say hello when we would pass in the hall. I later learned what a fantastic architect he was. After having talked with him several times about a specific design that I liked, I also found out what a kind and humble man he was. He never boasted and always seemed very appreciative of kind words. I will miss seeing him and having out little chats in the hall.
Mrs. McCarty and Doug, my heart hurts for you both. My prayers are with you.

Beverly Sherrod

Diane Fox

January 7, 2013

Bruce was such a gentle and genteel man. Working with him on the catalog for his retrospective exhibit at the UT Ewing Gallery was truly an honor and a privilege.

I have worked in one of his buildings each day (the UT Art and Architecture Building) for the past 12 years and have never tired of the openness and community its design helps to foster. He will be sorely missed.

Lanny Cope

January 7, 2013

I am saddened to hear of the passing of Bruce. I enjoyed working together with him and I always admired him as an architect with great talent and a gentleman of the highest honor. He will be greatly missed.
Lanny Cope

David Dugger

January 7, 2013

This Industry will truly miss this great visionary. I respected Mr. McCarty for his dedication and passion for Architecture. His hand print is on several buildings in this city.

E.C. Reed

January 7, 2013

Bruce was a dedicated public servant who will be expecially remembered by the Knoxville Civitan members. As a past President of the Knoxville Civitan Club I will miss his presence.

David Cockrill

January 7, 2013

I will always reflect fondly on the short period where our lives overlapped. As "neighbors" in the south end of the studio, I looked forward to those occasions when he would step around the partition, take a seat, fold his hands and ask, "What are you up to?" Well done Mr. McCarty...well done.

January 7, 2013

It was with great sadness that I learned of bruce's passing. He was a great civic leader.As past President of the Knoxville Civitan Club I wish to express my sincere condolescences to the McCarty family.

Beth Boline

January 7, 2013

I met Bruce McCarty by chance. I was doing some weeding in the front yard, when a young man ( Brian Pittman ) pulled up and asked, " would you like to meet the man who designed your home?" After Bruce left, and gave me his blessing, I "googled" him. I had no idea I was in the presence of greatness. That's what I loved about him. Upon the second and third time meeting him, he was just as humble. I met his wife, Elizabeth, too. I could tell they adored and respected each other so much.

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