Pierce County Superior Court Judge John McCarthy has decided to retire this fall, ending a successful 30-year career in public service as an elected official in this community.

In a letter to Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, who will appoint his successor, Judge McCarthy said his retirement will be effective Dec. 1, 2014.

“It has been an honor to serve the people of Pierce County and Washington State for the past 30 years. I truly appreciate the opportunities I have had to support the administration of justice, which is a bedrock of our society,” Judge McCarthy said. “My family and I appreciated all of the well-wishers during my recent treatment for cancer. I am happy to say that my doctors have given me a clean bill of health and I can call myself a cancer survivor. Now I’m anxious to spend more time with my grandchildren and pursue some other interests.”

Judge McCarthy’s term runs through the end of 2016.

Judge McCarthy, 65, has served as a judge for over 22 years — five years in Pierce County District Court, and the last 18 years with Superior Court. Before joining the bench, he served as an elected member of the Port of Tacoma Commission from 1983 to 1992.

He is a graduate of Tacoma’s Bellarmine Preparatory School and received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2012. He continues to officiate youth and high school football and basketball and has done so for over 17 years. He also volunteers in Mount Rainier National Park.

He is married to Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy. They have four adult children and nine grandchildren.