James E. McCarthy, age 92, of New Prague, died Thursday, September 12, 2013 at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital, New Prague.  Jim was born April 7, 1921 in Sunbury, NC to Robert & Sally (Ritter) McCarthy.  He attended Sunbury Public Schools and joined the army shortly after graduating from High School.  Jim married Grace Johnson on November 29, 1945 in St. James, MN.  He worked for a year at an A & P in Norfolk, VA before the couple moved to the Twin City area in Minnesota in 1947.  There he would take a job as a bus driver for Jefferson Lines, logging in over a million miles without an accident in his 38-year career.  In the early 1980’s the couple retired to North Carolina and Jim took up his love of music by playing guitar.  He played in festivals all over North Carolina, winning awards for his efforts and even found himself playing with backup musicians of the Grand ‘Ol Opry in Nashville, TN.  The couple moved finally to New Prague in 2002.

Jim is survived by his wife, Grace of New Prague; children, Keith McCarthy of St. Paul, Peggy McCarthy of St. Paul, James McCarthy of Washington, DC; 5 Grandchildren; 3 Great-Grandchildren.  He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Waverly and Herman.

Funeral Services will be conducted Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at 11:00 AM at Bruzek Funeral Home with his grandson, Rev. Brett McCarthy officiating.  Visitation will take place 2 hours prior to service.  Burial will take place at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery with military honors.  Serving as pallbearers will be Ian, Conor, Brett, Keith, and James McCarthy.