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Charles McCarthy Obituary
September 2, 1929 - March 18, 2016
Charlie died unexpectedly, clasping the hand of Loraine, his wife of nearly 20 years.
Charlie lived his early years in the small towns of New England, before moving with his mother and stepfather to Forest Grove, Oregon, where he finished high school and attended Pacific University. After graduating from Pacific, he returned to New England and entered seminary at Boston University. Charlie's first year in Boston left him questioning his commitment to the ministry, so he spent a memorable year in Dufur, Oregon, learning about himself, the life of a small church, and shooting at tin cans. During that year, he had a long-distance courtship with MaryLou Campbell of Portland, who convinced him to trade his pistol for an electric drill, more in step with his lifelong love of woodworking. They soon married and traveled back to Boston together.
Through his many years as a United Methodist pastor, Charlie served congregations in Willamina, Lyons, Eugene, Seaside, Grants Pass, Springfield, and McMinnville. Along the way, he touched many lives with his kind, generous, and yes, amusing spirit.
After MaryLou died in 1995, Charlie and Loraine Sarpola, formerly of Seaside, Oregon, rekindled a friendship that deepened into a loving marriage. Charlie shared Loraine's commitment to Music Thanatology, which he showed by handcrafting many harp carts for practitioners. He was awarded a lifetime membership in their professional association for his service.
Charlie is survived by Loraine, his sons and daughters-in-law, David McCarthy and Jane Jarrett, Mark McCarthy and Anne Laufe, and his grandchildren, Molly, Andrea, Sadie, and Sam McCarthy. Charlie is also survived by his extended family: Loraine's children, Bruce Sarpola, Marilyn Reilly, and Dick Sarpola, grandchildren Scott, Erin, George and Francesca, plus great-grandchildren Isla and Nia.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on April 2, at First United Methodist Church, 1376 Olive Street, Eugene, OR.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests donations to First United Methodist Church in Eugene or Strings of Compassion at Sacred Heart Medical Center.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Charles McCarthy
4 Entries
Robin Derringer (nee Hill)
April 4, 2016
Rev. McCarthy was a childhood pastor of mine at Seaside Methodist Church. His influence on me was greater than he ever realized because I did not know myself how important it was, at that troubled time in my life, to be treated as a person of individual worth and promise. My heart goes out to his family, and to all the others who will miss his many kindnesses and unfailing good humor. He was a very special man and one of God's chosen few, for sure.
April 4, 2016
Charlie McCarthy was my pastor at Seaside Methodist Church while I was growing up there. He was one of only two childhood ministers who made an indelible positive impression on me, because he always showed us younger members of his congregation that we had individual value and promise. He may not have known how important his influence was at the time, because he was simply being himself, but I can say without q
March 28, 2016
I am deeply sorry about the loss of your loved one. Please find comfort in knowing that God cared for you and your family. He will give you comfort and strength so that you may be able to endure. Psalms 30:10.
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