Dr. David Howell McCarley, D.D.S. of McKinney, Texas, passed away January 4, 2015 at the age of 61. Born September 2, 1953 in Austin, Texas to L.B. and Mary Ann Van Landingham-McCarley. He married the love of his life, Lee Ann Wright, on March 7, 2002, in McKinney, Texas.
Raised on his grandfather’s dairy farm in Blue Ridge, Texas and in later years in McKinney, Dr. McCarley graduated from McKinney High School in 1971, where the lifelong relationships he forged ensured that McKinney would always be home.
He graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and a lifelong addiction to Red Raider fandom (even in the difficult times). After serving as a graduate teaching assistant at Texas Tech University and as a microbiology lab coordinator at the University of Arizona, Dr. McCarley entered Baylor College of Dentistry, earning his Doctorate of Dental Surgery in 1981. After graduating, Dr. McCarley declared McKinney his home, where he owned and operated McCarley Restorative and Cosmetic Family Dentistry for over 30 years, until his recent death.
Dr. McCarley's enthusiasm extended into every aspect of his life, from his deep passion for dentistry, to his charitable spirit and civic involvement, and to his adventurous personal life. His passion for dentistry and civic involvement lead to a notable tenure with the Texas Dental Association (TDA), where he served as the youngest elected member of the Board of Directors, a delegate throughout the 1990’s and early 2000’s, Parliamentarian, Chairman of the Council on Constitution & Bylaws, Vice President (1994-1995), and, finally, as its President (May 2014 – January 2015). He served as President of the Fourth District Dental Society (North Texas) and, in 2008, served on the American Dental Association (ADA) Council on Ethics, Bylaws & Judicial Affairs, the House Standing Committee on Rules and Order, and the Standing Committee of the House of Delegates – Constitution & Bylaws. Additionally, Dr. McCarley recently completed his mastership through the Academy of General Dentistry.
His charitable spirit and devotion to community engagement led to his involvement with the Kiwanis Club, Ducks Unlimited, and Boy Scouts of America. Dr. McCarley was a member of St. Gabriel Catholic Church in McKinney, Texas. He also served on the Advisory Board of the Collin County Community College Hygiene School. In his personal life, he loved to travel, ride motorcycles with his wife Lee Ann, and work on his farm—The ToothAchers Ranch.
He is survived by his wife, Lee Ann McCarley of Westminster, Texas; his children, Kristi Kendall of Westminster, Joe McCarley of Carrollton, Wesley Layton of Washington D.C., Nick McCarley of McKinney, Jenny McCarley and husband Justin Appleby of Richardson; his siblings, Dana Pennington of Rowlett, Kevin McCarley and wife Jennifer of McKinney, Brian McCarley of McKinney, Susan McCarley and fiancée Steve Smith of Los Angeles, California; his mother, Mary Ann McCarley of McKinney; and his grandchildren, Hunter Kendall of San Marcos, Savannah and Abigail Kendall of Anna, and Rylee Layton of Vermont.
Dr. McCarley was preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Rebecca Layton, and his father, L.B. McCarley.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church, in McKinney, Texas, on Friday, January 9, 2015 at 11:00 AM. The family will receive friends during a rosary at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, in Allen, Texas, on Thursday, January 8, 2015, at 7:00 PM.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers that memorials be made to a charity close to Dr. McCarley’s heart—The TDA Smiles Foundation.
TDA Smiles Foundation
1946 South Interstate 35, Ste. 300
Austin, TX, 78704
512-448-2441 –or– 877-807-6453
http://www.tdasmiles.org/Contribute/Memorials.aspx