R. L. McCarty

Roscoe Lee McCarty completed his journey early Wednesday Morning, April 17, 2013 with his wife of 50 years, Tennie and his grandson Spencer, by his side with other family members present in the home. R.L. was born September 29, 1930 in Colorado City, Texas to Edna Earl Jackson and Roscoe Lee McCarty Sr. At the age of nine, R.L. was adopted by Udell Womack when Edna Earl married Udell. R.L. married Tennie Lucille Johnson on September 7, 1962. They established residence in Abilene and later moved to 5442 Buffalo Gap Rd., which would become the family home where they raised their children. In 1976 R.L. founded McCarty Equipment Co. where he worked up until September 2011 when his quality of life deteriorated as a result of Alzheimer’s. R.L. was often heard saying, “Have you heard the one about…” only to be followed by a joke to fit the occasion. He was a hardworking man who always wanted the best for his family, never spending anything on himself; a man who could fix anything or build anything. He will forever be remembered sliding down the pool slide head first on his back or playing dominoes. He was a friend of Bill W. for 32 years. R.L. was never one to impose his way on others but quick to help when asked. A man who loved his family, R.L. was always Tennie’s greatest supporter and was instrumental in the establishment of Shades of Hope Treatment Center. Shades of Hope has endured largely due to the commitment exhibited by R.L. He was a member of the Exodus Metropolitan Community Church. In the last week of his life, R.L. was surrounded by his family and friends who honored him in the celebration of his life by singing, telling jokes, telling stories and just loving him as he walked his final journey. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Jeri Alford Turpin, and his grandson Matt McCarty. R.L. is survived by his wife, Tennie of Buffalo Gap, and their four children: Kelly McCarty of Abilene and his children, Natalie Stevens, her husband Jeff and newborn Preston Tate of Bryan, Kaitlyn McCarty of Bryan, and their mother Susan McCarty of Abilene; Karen McCarty, her husband Scott Price of Houston and children Kaylee Thomas of Houston, Kyle Thomas of Kerrville and Kylie Price of San Angelo; Kim McCarty of Santa Fe, NM; Kristi McCarty, her partner Cam Balcomb and their son Spencer McCarty of Buffalo Gap; adopted family Cindy Henson, Tatum and Allen, Kambyl, Kynlie, and Linken Schilling; and adopted granddaughter Ashley Judd. Survivors also include three children from a previous marriage: daughters Sandy Bradley, her children Sheila Willett, Keith French and Tim French; Brenda Halter, her children Christy Cox, Sherry McCoy and Derek Halter; and son Charley McCarty, his wife Jill of New Braunfels and his children Coley McCarty, Crystal Orr, Carrie Danheim, and the late Matt McCarty. R.L. is also survived by numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and a host of friends. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, April 20, in The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd. in Abilene, officiated by Rev. Margaret Walker, Rev. Connie Mangin and Rev. Fred Watson, O.S.B. Interment will follow in Buffalo Gap Cemetery in Buffalo Gap, Texas. The family will receive friends at a visitation from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 19, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel. Serving as pallbearers will be Spencer McCarty, Kyle Thomas, Terry Monroe, Ray Ince, Allan Casey, Tony Wink, Allen Schilling and Msgt. Andrew Cripps. The family extends a heartfelt thank you to Tita Garza, R.L.’s beloved nurse of 1 and 1/2 years, as well as a special thank you for the care and compassion extended by Dr. and Mrs. Robert Kleinhaus and their staff, Big Country Healthcare Services and Hospice of the Big Country. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in the memory of R.L. McCarty to The Hope of Shades Foundation, P.O. Box 700, Tioga, TX 76271, or Hospice of the Big Country, 4601 Hartford St., Abilene, TX 79605.