Jerome W. McCarthy

Jerome (Jerry) W. McCarthy passed away suddenly on April 19th, 2022, surrounded by his wife and two daughters in Aberdeen, SD.

Jerry was born in Compton, CA to Nellie Lowry and Jerome F. McCarthy on July 27th, 1960. He entered the United States Air Force at a young age, where he spent time in Zweibrücken, Germany and was stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota where he met the love of his life, Brenda Wimpfheimer. They were married in Hastings, MN on March 8, 1985. Following his honorable discharge from the Air Force, he joined the FAA as an Air Traffic Controller, a job he held for over 30 years until his retirement in June 2012. He spent his whole career at the Air Traffic Control Center in Farmington, MN where many of his friends and co-workers affectionately referred to him as “Foghorn” due to his loud and infectious laugh.

Jerry and Brenda spent the majority of the 38 wonderful years they were married living in the Twin Cities area, until they recently moved to Groton, South Dakota to enjoy more hunting and fishing together.

Jerry was a man of many friends, had a quick wit, ready smile, and a desire to help anybody that needed it – no questions asked. He was a true outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing in any form. His adventures took him all over the country. Jerry, along with his wife Brenda, were members of many bird dog organizations, including NBDCA (National Bird Dog Challenge Association). In March of 2022, Jerry had the honor of having his dog Ryley inducted into the Bird Dog Hall of Fame. Jerry had a deep love of all his black labs throughout his life, which included Ryley, Kinzi, Courtney, Shamrock, and Ryan.

He is survived by his wife Brenda, daughters Bailey (Matthew Copley) and Allie McCarthy, bonus Granddaughter Isabelle Copley, beloved dogs Ryley and Kinzi, Mother and Stepfather Nellie and Bryan Hennington, Stepmother Elza LeBrun, twin sister Carrie McCarthy, brother Sean McCarthy, sisters Marla (Rick Goldberg) and Gina (Shawn Orr) and many loving nieces and nephews.

Jerry is preceded in death by his father, Jerome F. McCarthy, Father-in-law and Mother-in-law Bill and Jacky Wimpfheimer, niece Amber Carlson, and many lifelong friends.

A Celebration of Life will be from 1:00-4:00 pm June 18, 2022, at Horse and Hunt Club in Prior Lake, MN.

The family will establish a scholarship In Memory of Jerry for mentoring young outdoorsmen. Please send any contributions to Carlsen Funeral Home and Crematory, 1708 8th Ave. NE, Aberdeen, SD 57401.

Carlsen Funeral Home and Crematory of Aberdeen, SD.