Tom Lea McCarty

December 11, 1927 – April 3, 2023

Tom McCarty 95, passed away peacefully April 3, 2023 at home surrounded by family.  He was born in Shawnee, Oklahoma December 11, 1927 to Earl and Lena (Cordell) McCarty

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 73 years Patricia McCarty and his son Jake McCarty.

Tom is survived by his sons and daughters, Tom McCarty, Debi McCarty, Karen Woolery, Melissa Lennox, Kelly Longbine, Clay McCarty, their spouses and children, many nieces and nephews and their children. Tom Leaves his brother and sisters Dixie Boyd, Jack McCarty, Maxie King and Wendy Jack. Tom and Pat were proud to be great grandparents and Tom was privileged to see the fifth generation brought into this world.

Tom lived a long and rewarding life, serving in the Navy during World War II.  He was a carpenter because every trade was born from it, "just ask Jesus sometime," he would say, "it didn't matter if you were a plumber or electrician, they were once carpenters."  Tom was a solution finder and could and did fix anything.  He was a self-proclaimed Shade Tree Mechanic and Southern Engineer and he would tease saying a roll of duct tape, a little bailing wire and WD-40 was all you needed to fix anything.  Tom led by example and was a man of his word, quietly helping anyone in need.  He taught his family to be strong, often saying "if you're not bleeding you better not be crying."  If you knew Tom for very long you would probably pick up some of his Tom McCarty-ism's.  Tom's steadfast, generous, and selfless heart is perhaps his greatest legacy.