Thomas Anthony McCarragher

Tom’s obituary

Chief Thomas “Mac” McCarragher, USN Retired, 73, passed peacefully on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, in Jacksonville, FL. He is survived by his devoted wife of 41 years, Deborah, and his son, Major Sean McCarragher, USMC (Beatriz) of Bluffton, SC, a granddaughter, Sydney McCarragher, and a grandson, Liam McCarragher. Additionally, he is survived by his brothers ,John McCarragher Jr. (Susan) of Buffalo Grove, IL, and Patrick McCarragher (Peggy) of Chula Vista, CA.                                          

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Rosalinda (Leon) Jackson and John E. McCarragher, Sr, as well as his sister, Marianne Dukes.

Tom was born in Ancon, Canal Zone, Panama, and graduated from Balboa High School in the Canal Zone. Tom enlisted in the US Navy in 1967. He served four years active duty at NAS Meridian, MS, as an aircraft mechanic, and returned to the Melbourne, FL area where his mom and stepdad were stationed at Patrick AFB.

Tom attended Brevard County Community College in Melbourne, FL prior to obtaining an apprenticeship in the late 1970’s as a machinist with the Dept. of Defense (Civil Service) Naval Air Depot (NADEP) at NAS Jacksonville, FL. He advanced to Programmer, and then to Planner/Estimator for the facility prior to his retirement in 2009.

Tom joined the US Navy Reserve in 1987 as a flight attendant with Logistics Squadron VR-58 based out of NAS Jacksonville, FL. He served until 2007, at which time he retired as a Chief Petty Officer with 25 years of service. He was recalled to active duty with his squadron in December 1990 in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.  

A memorial service and life celebration will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at 2:00 pm at the Aaron and Burney Bivens Funeral Home, 529 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, FL, (904) 264-1233.  A reception will follow at the Holiday Inn & Suites on Wells Road in Orange Park. Interment will be at Jacksonville National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Wounded Warriors Project via their website at www.woundedwarriorproject.org

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