J. Nathan McCarley

December 19, 1917 ~ June 2, 2009
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville - John Nathan McCarley, Jr. died peacefully in his home on the evening of June 2, 2009.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Margaret Welburn McCarley and John Nathan McCarley of Greenville, SC and is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary Anne Sides McCarley; children, Victoria McCarley Stockton (James), Ponte Vedra Beach FL, John Nathan McCarley, III (Marcia) Cashiers, NC and Bruce Winfield McCarley, Atlanta GA; four grandchildren living in Texas, Canada and Western NC, and two great-granddaughters.
In December 1932, as a young man, Mr. McCarley became an Eagle Scout with Troop #11 in Greenville, SC. During the Second World War, Mr. McCarley proudly served his country as an officer and flight instructor in the Army Air Corps.
In December 1945, Mr. McCarley brought his dream to Western North Carolina and opened the first office of McCarley and Company in Asheville. By 1979, his securities and investment banking company had grown to 17 offices in North and South Carolina. Mr. McCarley's philosophy that "People really like to do business with people in their hometown" brought the highest quality of service to all corners of the Carolinas.
McCarley's firm holds the distinction of being the first North Carolina brokerage firm to become a member of the New York Stock Exchange.
In August of 1979, McCarley and Company joined forces with Interstate/Johnson Lane, which later joined Wachovia Securities. Mr. McCarley retired from Wachovia Securities in December 2003. During his 58 year career he served as president of the Securities Dealers of the Carolinas, member of the NASD and vice-chairman of their Business Conduct Committee, chairman of the Investment Bankers Association of the Mid-Atlantic States, and was inducted into the Broker Hall of Fame in 1992.
Mr. McCarley was held in warm regard in the Carolinas for his service to the Chamber of Commerce, the United Way, and the YMCA.
Mr. McCarley was a gentleman, the epitome of honesty and selfless leadership. He was devoted to his family, his industry, and the community alike.
During his final days Mr. McCarley was surrounded by his devoted caregivers who have served the McCarleys with love and devotion for several years. The family wishes to express great appreciation to our dear friends: Javan Johnson, Margaret Henderson, Teresa Eavenson, Nestoria Lewis, Dot Sharpe, Vicky Warren, Debbie Williams, Georgette Lord, Mary Fairchild, Donna McCuen, Emma Harris, Jacqueline Collington, Crystal Smith, Amanda Mace, Cleta Sherrill, Heather Green, Alexis Simuel, Tara Williams, Natalie Wood, Paul Grover, Elizabeth Cowlery, Judy Bridges, Evelyn Huggins and CarePartners, Crislyn Baugham, Connie Clark, Andrea Lahti, Lauren Patrick Dimaio and Brenda Lewis.
Private burial and celebration of John Nathan McCarley's life will take place at a future date.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Mr. McCarley at this time.
I had the privilege of working at McCarley & Co. from 1971 – 1979. I respected & admired Mr. McCarley and have many great memories of my time working with him.
My condolences to his family.
I had the honor of working with Mr. McCarley with Interstate/Johnson Lane, what great memories. He was a very professional financial representative. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during this time.
For John McCarley III of Cashiers, NC — John, I am so sorry to hear of your father’s death. Stephanie died January 20 of this year. Call me at 843-881-2783 or cell 843-819-9361. Steve
A fine man who will be missed. Respected by all and admired by all.
My father, Clyde Gasperson Sr,was a client and friend of Mr McCarley. He trusted him completely and always had the highest regard for Mr. McCarley. My father passed away in 1986 and Mr. McCarley attended his funeral. Mr. McCarley leaves a wonderful legacy with his great accomplishments, and friends he had across the Carolinas. My condolences to your family.
Kindest Regards,
Cecily Gasperson Hart
Charleston, SC
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. The Boone Family
To: Nathan McCarley and family, God bless all of you his family. I loved working with your father/ grandfather. He taught me so much about life, business, love in different ways. I loved his jokes and his thoughts in general. He was very very special to me, to my very soul. He will be gratley missed. God bless all of you. Mr. McCarley when it’s my turn punch a little hole and pull me through. Much love Georgette Lord
To the McCarley Family:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time and in the difficult days ahead.
My father and grandfather were both business associates of Mr. McCarley and I remember both of them speaking highly of him.
Mary Anne:
Iris joins me in sending to you and your family our deepest sympathy on Nathna’s death. You are with us in our thoughts and prayers.
Nathan was a pioneer and leader in the securities business in North and SouthCarolina. He will be greatly missed bu his many friends.
Mary Ann and family,
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
I started my business career with McCarley and CO. and knowing Nathan and working for him have been two of the highlights of my life. He was an astute business man and a very caring person. He was one of a kind!!!
My deepest sympathy on your loss.
Peg M. Broyhill
To the McCarley Family,
My Father, Jack Bishop, worked for Mr. McCarley in the Asheville office for about 10 years until it closed. My very first pay check is from McCarley and Co., when I was in elementary school. Mr. McCarley paid respect to my Dad when he passed away 2 years after the office closed. I send the same respect to the family of an obviuosly good man. My families thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time.
I had the honor of working for McCarley & Co. from 1959 through the late 60’s. I loved working there. He had true respect for all his empoloyees. My sincere condolences to all his family.
A kind man,a caring man, and a gentleman; respected, admired, and missed by those fortunate to have known him.
I WORKED FOR MR. McCARLEY FROM 1969 UNTIL CLOSING. AND I DEARLY LOVED THAT MAN. HE WAS THE GREATEST BOSS ANYONE COULD EVER HOPE FOR. MY PRAYERS ARE FOR ALL HIS FAMILY. MAY GOD BLESS YOU.
A man who left a wonderful legacy.
All the best, John Rivers
To the McCarley Family – Seeing the obituary of John McCarley in the Raleigh News and Observer brought back so many memories of my growing up years in our shared neighborhood (Forest Road) and having Vicki as one of my best friends. I send sincere condolences on the loss of a very notable gentleman who has left lasting legacies in so many areas. Special love to Vicki and her mother Mary Anne. My husband Ash and I have lived in Raleigh since 1975 and have two grown children and two grandchildren. Would love to see you. With love, Margie Anderson Pipkin
I have just heard about Nathans death and very sorry to hear about it. I remember fondly in early 1954 walking in the office in the Jasckson Bldg and asking Nathan for a job. He gave me a job and a start in the securiies business. Here I am 55 years later still in the business with MOrgan Stanley Smith Barney. It has given me a good life and my thtanks go to Nathan for giving me the oportunity. Im sure he will be missed. My regards to the family.
Ed Waller
Dear Mary Anne, Vicky, John, and Bruce,
We were sad to read about Nathan. Your family has been a part of our lives, and we will always remember the fun times at your home. Nathan was always such a gentlemen and so nice to us. You are all in our thoughts in your loss. Fondly, Gay and Stewart Coleman
To the McCarley family,
I’ve just learned of Nathan’s passing. Finding out through his obituary is a shock. To be loved as his ‘little Mormon girl’ and Mary Anne’s ‘surrogate daughter’ was a joy and an honor. I miss and will continue to miss them. I pray you will be comforted in your loss and honor them with unselfish kindness towards one another and others as they did. It was his wish. He loved you all.