Obituary: James A. McCartin

James A. McCartin, 80, a Minden resident, died Dec. 6, 1999, at his residence. He was born July 21, 1919, in New York City, N.Y., to James Mathew and Violet Margaret Heavey McCartin.

Before moving to Minden, he lived in Smith Valley, having lived in Las Vegas and Reno.

Mr. McCartin was an artist sculptor and worked as a microwave technician in the telecommunications industry. He enjoyed sculpturing and spending time with his family.

In 1973, he began sculpting without previous training but had a natural talent for crafting figures reminiscent of the early days in the West. He had a studio in Minden where he primarily sculptured for private parties and had displays in galleries. His family was traced back to the Irish miners of Virginia City. His ancestors included the famed Irish marble sculptor Edward McCartin and impressionist painter Walter McCartin. In 1981, he had the honor of presenting his bronze sculpture of "Tejas," a statute of a Texas longhorn, to President Ronald Reagan.

He served in the U.S. Army for seven years and was selected to attend OCS Infantry School and served as a ranger, receiving the Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He also served in the U.S. Air Force for four years, serving in World War II and the Korean Conflict.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Thomas Ronald in 1994 and sister, March Pritchard, in 1996.

Among his survivors are his wife, Nancy, of Minden; sons, James, of Castaic, Calif., Kevin, of South Lake Tahoe, Lee, of Incline Village, Scott, of Spanish Springs and Robert Effenberger, of Bakersfield, Calif. and grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

Services will be at a later date.

Cremation will be at Walton's Carson Sierra Crematory.

Walton's Douglas County Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.