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Obituaries

Neal J. McCarley, Noted Rug Buyer and Rug Rep, Has Died

Neal J. McCarley, a former rug buyer and an award-winning rug sales representative, died on Oct. 31, 2020, at his home in Plano, Texas.

RugNews.com Editors
1/5/2021
portrait of Neil McCarley
Neal J. McCarley

PLANO, Texas -- Neal J. McCarley passed peacefully Oct. 31, 2020, at his home in Plano surrounded by family and friends after a hard fought, two year battle with cancer.

McCarley was born Sept. 10,1948 in Dallas, graduated high school in 1967 and earned his BBA from North Texas University in 1978 with plans of returning to a Finance Career.

"A classmate told him he was 'too old' for a retail recruiter to hire him," recalled long-time friend and colleague James Hines, president of rep agency JE Hines in Texas. "Neal took this as a challenge, signed up, nailed the interview and began what he considered a career surrounded by incredible people and opportunities that many could only dream of!"

McCarley began his retail career with Federated Department Stores in 1978 as an assistant buyer at Sanger Harris, quickly becoming a buyer and then moved on to Bloomingdales as a part of the management team that opened the new Dallas store in 1982.

In 1984, McCarley made his move to sales joining Couristan, which opened a whole new world of opportunities, product knowledge and travel. He won numerous sales awards and was instrumental in the creation of their “Bonsai” conservation award. He was proud to be the first vendor rep to place rug in Tuesday Morning.

In 1995 he returned to Tuesday Morning serving as rug buyer and was named as one of Rug News' “Most Knowledgeable Buyers of 1997.”

In 1998, he went back to sales co-founding rep agency McCarley Pope & Associates. He secured major manufacturers, including Momeni, OWA, Vantage, CMI, and more, to represent in the Southwest territories. His group won multiple territory sales awards and he was very proud to sell the first rugs to Overstock.com.

Lormac Services became his final rep agency in 2005 until his retirement.

Neal is survived by his parents NJ and GayNell McCarley, wife Lorrie Jean, son Andrew, daughter and son-in-law Samantha and Kevin Lloyd, two grandchildren Harmony and Nash, many friends that he considered family as well.

"Neal made an impression on everyone he met and was a huge presence in the lives of those who loved and cared for him," Hines said. "He will be greatly missed but we will remember his accomplishments and friendship. In light of the times, Neal’s wish was not for a service but that everyone raise a glass, laugh and tell stories in his honor. Every time has a season and he was blessed to be in ours."

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