William Blake McCarty

William Blake McCarty (71) passed away in the comfort of his home on September 26, 2024. He fought his cancer bravely with characteristic stubborn force of will and went peacefully in the loving presence of his wife and children.

Blake was born on September 19, 1953, in Fort Sill, Oklahoma to Colonel Roy Dean and Jean LaCrosse McCarty. He and his three older brothers grew up on various military bases (including four years in Garmisch, Germany) before landing in Charleston, South Carolina. In 1971, he graduated from Porter-Gaud School, where he played varsity basketball and football. After graduating from the University of Tennessee, Blake worked as a CPA. He obtained a Doctorate of Law from Emory University in 1983 and has practiced ever since. While in law school, he met his wife, Jennifer. They enjoyed life with two young children in Atlanta’s Morningside neighborhood, where they attended Morningside Presbyterian Church. For several years, Blake perfected his tennis skills and played for the Piedmont Park ALTA tennis team.

Blake and Jennifer relocated to Gwinnett County before the birth of their third child and settled permanently in Lawrenceville after the birth of their youngest. Blake loved being a dad–he was very active in the lives of his children, serving as an assistant coach for his sons’ soccer teams, attending every music recital, and even enthusiastically supporting his daughter’s musical theater phase.

Blake was an adventurous man and loved the outdoors. He was dive certified, and he loved telling his children about exploring shipwrecks in the Bahamas and swimming with sharks. He enjoyed hiking and exploring local walking trails. He loved the Grand Tetons and the Great Smokey Mountain National Park. Blake loved camping, he loved the beach, and he combined the two with memorable family camping trips to Cumberland Island.

Blake will be remembered for his immense dedication to his family, his wry sense of humor, his enthusiasm for sports and the arts in equal measure, and his ability to connect with most people who had the fortune to meet him for any length of time. He was so loved, and he will be so missed.

Blake is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Chuck and Keith. He is survived by his brother Terry, his wife Jennifer, and his four children, Matthew, Carrie, James, and Joel. He also leaves behind cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends who loved him dearly.

Blake’s Celebration of Life will be held at Wages and Sons, Gwinnett Chapel, in Lawrenceville, GA on Sunday, October 6th at 2pm. Attendees are welcome to speak in remembrance, reception to follow.

Donations in Blake’s memory can be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Carolina Coonhound Rescue .