Donald Leroy McCarty

Donald Leroy McCarty, born August 8, 1926 in Huntington Beach California, lived a full and remarkable life full of love for family and for humanity. Donald passed away July 21, 2018 in Vancouver, WA with all of his children near. He was predeceased by his dear wife Betty, and was well loved and cherished by his surviving family, daughters Bonnie Springer ( husband David), Donna Ard ( husband Michael), son Warren McCarty ( wife Ingeborg); grandchildren Christopher Ard, Jeffrey Ard, Cherisa Ard, Karin McCarty and Annika McCarty; and half brother Zack McCarty ( wife Danelle). Donalds life spanned nine decades of dynamic change and he resiliently faced it all with grace and dignity. Together, Donald and Betty collected a wide array of friends from all over the world, many of whom were adopted as family. Donald always had time for a good story, sage advice, and a good meal. To the end of his days he remained concerned about the well- being of all who crossed his path-keeping up with his caregivers families and making sure that sound marriage and child rearing advice was always at the ready. Don grew up in Southern California near the orange groves that are now Disneyland and had fond memories of the California beaches that were open and deserted during his childhood. At age 14 he moved to the Central Valley to live with his grandmother on her farm in Navelencia. Don volunteered for service in the Navy during WWII and even spent time in Portland when his LST docked here after its tour of the South Pacific. Returning to the California farmlands after the war was over, Donald met Betty Carlson, they married, and started a wonderful marriage that lasted 66 years. During his life Donald worked professionally as a farmer, a service station attendant, an elementary school teacher and a reading resource specialist. In retirement he served as a docent for the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento for 10 years. Continuing retirement in St. Simons Island, Georgia Don volunteered as Lightkeeper Don for the St. Simons Lighthouse. Dons greatest passion was his family. He reveled in the company and accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. Don and Betty moved back to California to be near family and grandchildren in 1990. Donald embraced the Bahai Faith in 2015. In 2017 he moved with his sons family to Vancouver Washington. Donald will be interred in The Frank Abel Cemetery in Woodland, Washington.

Donald Leroy McCarty

August 8, 1926 - July 21, 2018