Patrick Joseph McCarthy

Patrick "P.J." McCarthy, age 91, passed away on September 9, 2024, at the Good Samaritan Village, Sioux Falls, SD. Patrick Joseph McCarthy was born on August 30, 1933, at Rawlins, WY, the son of Francis and Katherine (Fitzgerald) McCarthy. He grew up and attended school in Wyoming and Nebraska, graduating from Bridgeport High School in Bridgeport, NE. He attended Creighton University, before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1954. While in the Marines he graduated from St. Louis University with a B.S. Degree in Aeronautical Engineering. After his completion of flight school, Patrick continued his 20 year career as a Naval Aviator, flying the A4 and then A6 aircraft. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Legion of Merit with combat "V" Award, among other decorations, for his three tours of service in Vietnam in the late 1960's. Patrick continued extensive training and became a Naval Flight Instructor. He retired attaining the rank of Major in 1974. After retirement Patrick held several positions working for Wayne Feeds, Simpson Insurance, Cellular One, Raven Industries, Hutchinson Technology and in security for the Social Security Administration and the States Attorney's Office. On August 29, 1964, Patrick was united in marriage to Shirley Bourgeois, at the US Naval Base in Long Beach, CA. The couple lived in numerous states including California, Virginia, North Carolina, Illinois, Texas and Florida, before retirement in Missouri. The couple moved to Mitchell, SD in 1978 and then Sioux Falls in 1993. Patrick was raised in the Roman Catholic faith and remained active his entire life. He had been a member of the Exchange Club in Mitchell, Knights of Columbus and served on the Holy Spirit School Board in Mitchell. Besides his parents, Patrick was preceded in death by two sisters: Mary Ellen McCarthy and Patricia McCarthy. Also Anthony Smith, a family friend and caregiver. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife of over 60 years, Shirley; children: Michelle (Todd) Abraham, Chancellor, Michael (Heather Allmendinger) McCarthy, Sioux Falls and Tim (Leslie) McCarthy, Glenwood Springs, CO; four grandchildren: Dylan (Jordan Kruse) Abraham, Abby (Justin Nixon) Abraham, Baylee (Justin Behrend) Abraham and Caden McCarthy as well as other relatives and friends. Memorial visitation, with the family present, will be held 6:00 to 7:00 PM, Friday, September 20, 2024, with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at Dindot-Klusmann Funeral Home, Lennox, SD. Burial and military rites will be held at 1:00 PM Monday, at the SD Veterans Cemetery, Sioux Falls, SD.

Patrick Joseph McCarthy

August 30, 1933 - September 9, 2024

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