Dr. James Patrick McCarrick, Jr.

September 26, 2022

CHARLOTTE – A life defined by service to others.  For more than 40 years, Jim provided excellent care to his patients and honor to the medical profession.  A chip off the old block, Jim followed in the big footsteps of his doctor father, attending Georgetown Medical School. Being a medical provider was in his DNA.  

As an ICU, Critical Care Pulmonologist, he worked with patients during some of the most difficult medical crises of the past century including HIV/AIDS at the Naval Hospital in San Diego, Ebola and SARS at Mission Hospital in Asheville, and COVID-19 at Novant Hospital in Charlotte.  He had an uncanny ability to recall medical labs and stats.  He may not have remembered your name, but he knew your last creatin score or sodium level.

“Data boy” as his mother-in-law Carolyn Mitchell described him, also loved facts and statistics of all kinds – history, sports, rainfall totals and much more.  His go-to-sources were the NYT, WSJ and WP – which he read daily. Google was an old friend.

Every major city he visited included a trip to an art museum and a good restaurant.  A true epicurean, Jim had a robust appetite and flair for ordering good wines and exotic dishes.  And yet he always came back to the “Orange Group” – candied orange slices, Cheetos, and orange soda.

Jim is the oldest of a large, well-respected Irish Catholic family from Chevy Chase, MD.  A high school jock and an avid tennis player in his 40s, Jim excelled in golf after mid-life knee replacement surgery.  He loved and nurtured two children – Jack McCarrick and Olivia McCarrick Webb – to become successful adults.  He treasured time with his first grandchild Virginia Webb. One of the biggest regrets is not being able to meet his twin granddaughters, who will be born to Jack and his wife Lillian in February.

Five years ago, a McDonald’s coke would change his life.  In Marion, NC, Jim and Lisa Parrish had their first date under the Golden Arches.  For the next year, Jim was a salmon swimming upstream, making the trek from Asheville to Charlotte.  After they married in April 2019, they were on the go, entertaining, golfing, traveling and despite the struggles with cancer, they loved and laughed.

Jim was grateful for all those who supported him and Lisa during his time with cancer.  He appreciated the flexibility of his Novant team and hospital administrators and thankful for all his amazing doctors who made his condition a priority.  He was also grateful to Lisa’s Duke Energy family for giving her the time she needed to care for him.  And of course, he was blessed by his family – old and new -  for pulling him through those hard days.  

Thank you to friends and family for the bucket-list memories – sunset boat rides on Lake Rayburn, Bandon Dunes golf, Sea Island, Mountain Top member-guest, a McLaren ride, Pappy’s Bourbon, home-cooked meals, ginger snaps, and a celebrity phone call with NHL’s Eddie Olczyk.  

Life has changed, not ended. We will meet again.

A memorial service for Jim will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, October 6, 2022, at Christ Episcopal Church, 1412 Providence Road in Charlotte, NC.  The family will receive friends following the service at the church.   

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.

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Comments

  • Candace Clontz - pulmonary patient

    I’ve searched for him since 2017, finding this saddens my heart. I had a massive saddle clot (PE) lodge in the main artery going from my heart to my left lung in 2017. After months of telling “Dr H” that I was hurting and having other issues and him ignoring me, I requested a new pulmonary doctor and found Dr McCarrick in December of 2017! He actually listened to my words, not just my chest - and he heard me! He instantly knew what was wrong with me and sent me to Duke Medical University Hospital in Durham. Early 2018 I had to have a rare and dangerous surgery that saved my life. If not for Dr McCarrick, I wouldn’t be here today! I never got a chance to thank him… he had left the practice before I was able to get back to see him. He was an amazing doctor! This world lost one heck of a medical professional and heaven truly gained an angel when he arrived. My deepest and most sincere condolences to his family and friends…

  • Sharon Owen

    May Dr. McCarrick rest in peace and wonderful memories sustain his family and friends. Such a kind, caring physician.

  • Captain Thomas Walsh MC USN (Ret)

    I first met Jim when he was a Georgetown Medical student doing a rotation at Bethesda Naval Hospital in my Pulmonary Department. He was talkative, inquisitive and bright and got hooked on the specialty when he assisted me doing a bronchoscopy, and subsequently did residency and fellowship training at San Diego Naval Hospital. Then he and his family moved back east to Bethesda to do 3 years with me as a Pulmonary and Critical Care staff physician before leaving to practice in North Carolina. Besides running into each other at national meetings occasionally, I most recently saw Jim this past March when he was back in Chevy Chase for his mother's funeral service. We had a nice lunch together in Kensington MD that early sunny spring day and got caught up on our professional and personal lives over our years in the Navy and afterwards. He felt well and looked well and was in remission.
    Sadly, the goodbye that day to a truly unique and memorable physician and friend was my last.....
    Heartfelt condolences to all.

  • Pam Brown

    So sorry to hear of your loss, one thing is for sure sounds like he had an amazing life with lots of love and laughter and many accomplishments. Prayers for his family and friends, until we all meet again memories are forever.

  • Richard W Pomerantz, MD

    From the day I recruited Jim to work at Novant I knew he was a special person and physician. What I didn’t know was what a wonderful friend he would also be. His energy and knowledge while practicing was inspiring. His braveness and courage while ill was unbelievable. I will miss him very much. I pray for his family and especially for his wonderful wife Lisa.

  • Kathy Michelson

    Dr. McCarrick was one of our favorites and our team was excited to round with him at Mission Hospital. I was fortunate to be able to learn from him for many years. He brought quick wit and sarcasm to keep us entertained while teaching something new and interesting every day. He always cared so much for his patients and coworkers. Thoughts and prayers for comfort for the family during this time.

  • W. Roger Domby, M.D.

    As one of the physicians in our group of Pulmonologists, I shared in the privilege of interviewing and recruiting Jim to Asheville Pulmonary Associates in 1987. It became rapidly apparent as to his high standards and values. Jim was a brilliant, compassionate, dedicated physician who became a visionary for our group and hospital system! He was not only an excellent Pulmonologist and partner, but also a good friend! His smile, humor, tireless energy, wisdom, and friendship will be sorely missed! My deepest condolences to his family and friends for his loss!

  • Roger Domby

    As one of the physicians in my group of Pulmonologists who helped recruit Jim to Asheville Pulmonary in 1987, it became quickly apparent as to his many values.He was a brilliant, compassionate, dedicated, young man who became a visionary for our group and hospital system. He was not only a fantastic physician and partner, but also a good friend! His smile, humor, and tireless energy will be sorely missed! My deepest condolences to his family and friends for his loss!
    W. Roger Domby, M.D

  • Richard L. Smith, MD

    My condolences to all the family. I know you miss him. I practiced GI at Mission in Asheville while he was a pulmonologist there. Having Jim care for my patients was a pleasure and a great comfort to me personally. I think of Jim as a physician who had the whole package as a physician; the clinical skills as well as great skills to relate to and communicate with patients and their families. A doctors doctor and a patients friend. Dick Smith, Asheville

  • Richard L. Smith, MD

    I practiced GI at Mission Hosp. while Jim was there. He was an excellent pulmonologist who connected well with his patients. It was a pleasure and comfort to have him consult on my patients. Jim was a doctors doctor who did our profession proud and let his patient’s know that he had their best interests at heart at all times. Well done, Jim.
    My sincere condolences to all of the family.
    Dick Smith, Asheville

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