John "Jack" Wiley McCarthy, Jr.

John "Jack" Wiley McCarthy Jr., 75, went home to be with the Lord on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Austin, Texas.  He was born on August 26, 1949, in San Francisco, California, to John and Estelle McCarthy.

Jack, as he was affectionately known, was a light in the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him.  He will be remembered for his quick wit, willingness to help those around him, and never knowing a stranger.  His life and journey on this earth was not always an easy one, but one marked with love, perseverance, and faith in God.

Jack grew up in a military household and moved many places throughout his childhood, including Utah, Kansas, Washington, Arizona, California, New Mexico, Louisiana, Alabama, Japan, Ohio, Montana, and Texas.  He loved to tell stories about these adventures with his siblings.  These stories included his passion for swimming, which actually came from a fear of drowning, but served him well when he became a swim instructor while enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.  He moved up the ranks meritoriously, achieving the rank of Sergeant during his active duty of two years, and was awarded a Marksman Medal.

After his time in the military, he attended Tarrant County Junior College, where he learned the trade of welding.  He went on to weld professionally as well as creatively for his loved ones.  He also taught welding at a community college before finally moving to Lampasas, TX, in the early 1980s.  He continued welding locally as well as had numerous job sites on the Fort Hood military base.  Upon retiring, he was passionate about helping others and volunteered at Rollins Brook Hospital in Lampasas, TX, for a number of years.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, John and Estelle McCarthy, and his sons, Scott and Aaron McCarthy.

Jack is survived by the love of his life, Wanda Kay of Lampasas, TX; his daughters, Brandy Peiser (Kenneth) of Lampasas, TX, Allie McCarthy-Walters (John) of Lampasas, TX, and Eleta Sanchez (Tony) of Marble Falls, TX; his brothers, Patrick "Kelly" McCarthy of Fort Worth, Francis McCarthy (Michele) of Fort Worth, Tom McCarthy (Kay) of Georgetown, TX, and David McCarthy (Terrie) of Fort Worth; his sisters, Kathleen Graham (Richard) of Phoenix, Ariz., Sue Ranalla (Tim) of Anaconda, Mont., Nancy Baker (Foster) of Denton, TX; his 15 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; and his many nieces and nephews and other relatives.

A memorial service will be held at Faith Lutheran Church, 182 County Road 4006, Lampasas, TX 76550, on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 11 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the National Alliance of Mental Health: https://www.namiaustin.org/donate/