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BORN
1946
DIED
2010
Mickey McCarty Obituary
He was 63.
Mr. McCarty, formerly all-Southwest Conference (1967-68) in baseball and basketball, told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram last week that he was given two lives, "an athletic life and a medically experimental life."
He spent the last 24 years with two hearts in his chest, undergoing a then-experimental "piggyback" donor heart transplant in '86 and again in '97. Pancreatic cancer was diagnosed in October.
Born in 1946, the 6-foot-7, 240-pound McCarty was a rare athlete in that he was drafted by four professional leagues (NFL, MLB, NBA and ABL) in 1968. He chose the sport he hadn't played since high school, making the Kansas City Chiefs roster and returning kickoffs for a brief time.
A left-hander in every sport he played, Mr. McCarty (who considered the best swing in baseball belonged to Ken Griffey Jr.) shrugged off a 1981 stroke that paralyzed his left side. At age 35, he taught himself to be right-handed.
Mr. McCarty is survived by his son, Cody, a former TCU tight end (2000-04) who coaches baseball and football in the Mansfield ISD. He lived with his longtime girlfriend, Paula, in League City.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Church of Christ, 900 Echo Lane, in Houston.
Memories and Condolences
for Mickey McCarty
36 Entries
Stuart Weinstein
May 1, 2025
Mickey was a great softball player competing on the highest level.
He was also a great person!!!
Rest in peace with both God and Jesus!!!
Duffy Hoch
January 16, 2022
Played with Micky on Warren Motors back in 77. Great Friend. Sorry for your loss
Larry Gilbert
May 23, 2020
It's been almost ten years since I received a call from Bill Ferguson in Corpus Christi telling me that Mickey had passed away. My heart sunk and I'm still sad today. After a tremendous college career at TCU, and playing professional football, Mickey graced us in Corpus Christi playing open class softball for Taylor Brothers Jewelers. Besides being an All World softball player, he was a gentle giant and and a tremendous friend. Mickey never forgot his roots or where he came from, remaining humble even with all the accolades he earned. Mickey was an inspiration for so many and I will always hold him on a pedestal. While we called him Captain Marvel, John Silmon called him Captain Marble. We miss you Marble.
Kim (Swain) Goodman
March 6, 2012
To Mickey, Paula, and Cody,
I have been thinking of Mickey the past few days. I had lost touch with him after my husband, family, and I had moved out of state. I looked him up on Google today to try to reconnect with him and just found out he passed away. My heart is so sad to hear. He was a precious friend. I was his ICU nurse after his first heterotopic heart transplant. I took care of him for weeks. We developed a special friendship and stayed in touch for many years.
I remember him feeling guilty about his transplant. He got his heart on Christmas Day, one day after he went on the waiting list. He said he knew some people had been waiting for so much longer and it wasn't fair he got his so quickly. He had such a heart for others. It was miraculous. The surgeon told him he could wait a lifetime, and he wouldn't get such a perfect match. He had the rarest blood type, so almost no one could have matched so amazingly. The donor was not within 20% of his body weight, so they dedcided to leave his own heart in.
He laughed about the surgeon's standing over his bed, "He is not 220 lbs!" "He is 6 foot seven! What, did you expect him to be hanging all over the bed?!"
Mickey was truly an amazing man. It was an honor to have been friends with him.
How you can show support
Steve Clurman
August 22, 2011
To Mickey, Paula and his son Cody (family)
for some reason i was suppose to Google my old friend Mickey Mccarth today and very saddened about the news that i just came across. i knew Mickey back in Kansas City around the 1968-70 era. I met him at a club (appropiatley called the End Zone Lounge,owned by Ed Lauthimer a chief's lineman. Mickey was asked to be the evening manager and i worked for him several years. i always noticed how much everyone respected him for his remarkable atheletic abilities and also as a person. From the employees to city. It looked kind of odd me being 5.9" and Mickey towering over everyone he was friends with, except the KC Chiefs team of course. He asked if i would help him move to San Diago to play for the Chargers when he was traded either in the late sixties or early 70's.
i just wanted you all to know he was admired by many and loved by all.
i still have a few friends that worked under his management and will be saddened to know of his health issues and his passing.
God bless him and his family,
Steve Clurman, family and friends,
KC,MO/St. Louis,MO
January 31, 2011
Just read about Mickey death in a TCU Magazine. My late husband and I (Richard Westbrook) were friends of his both at TCU and when he played for Kansas City. ( Richard also died of stomach cancer in 1982). Guess the two of them can now watch games from the best seats in heaven. Candy Rose Westbrook
Louis Erick Ljung
November 11, 2010
I knew Mickey when I was about 5 years old. I wonder now if his son would even remember our friendship from years ago. My name is Louis Ljung. And I want to reconnect with this family, especially now. My heart goes out to you, Cody, we knew each other as children, and I know you're bond with your father. Peace be with you and your family.
Sandy Mazyn
September 4, 2010
Mickey was a very special man in so many ways. He was a Friend and Mentor to many. I will miss him deeply.
Joan Swaim
July 27, 2010
So very sorry I was unable to attend the service. Mickey was one of my (and his coach Johnny's) favorite people, and of course, player! His health problems just didn't seem fair. My condolences to Mrs. McCarty and family. I will miss knowing he is still with us. Mike and Susie join me in sympathy.
Cheryl Tubbs Cook
July 25, 2010
I attended Pasadena High from 1961-1963 and graduated from Sam Rayburn High in 1965. I remember Mickey as truly gifted and Pasadena should always be proud of his talents. May God give those closest to him peace and comfort in the days ahead.
Lawrence & Margaret Elkins
July 25, 2010
Our sincere condolences to the McCarty family and to Paula who has been there for Mick for so many years!
Carey Sloan
July 25, 2010
Hey Mick: It was wonderful spending so much time with you these last several months. Thanks for hanging on til I returned from overseas. Cody has a big ole angel on his shoulder now and I know he wears it proudly. Now free from pain, rest in peace until we meet again.
July 25, 2010
Mickey and I played softball in Corpus Christi from 1979 thur 1981. We became great friends in a short time. I was just in my early 20's and Mickey took under his wing and made me a winner.Thank you Mickey for some great times. You will be missed.
Rick Salinas
Deer Park,Tx.
Bob Carswell
July 24, 2010
"Feet" you will be missed. From our days playing football at Southmore Jr High tru our great football team at Pasadena High your were a great friend, teammate, neighbor. I will always remember our talks about saving the world or how bad practice was going to be on the way to school every day.
Bob Carswell Pearland Tx
July 23, 2010
Cody and Family,
I'm one of your teammates, Chase Johnson, Dad. We want to express our deepest sympathy for your loss. Our prayers are with you and your family. I met your Dad many times at TCU Games and always enjoy his company while watching you play. May God's steady hand and love be you and your family at this trying time.
Gary and Rachel Johnson, Raytown, Missouri
July 23, 2010
CODY & FAMILY, I WAS A BASKETBALLL TEAMMATE FROM 1964-68 OF MICKEY'S AT TCU. THERE ARE MANY WONDERFUL MEMORIES WITH A GREAT ATHLETE AND FUN GUY.MICKEY WILL BE MISSED AND CHERISHED. MAY THE GOD OF GRACE AND COMFORT BE WITH YOU.
Tommy Gowan, Hurst, Texas, TEXAS
Jan Ford
July 23, 2010
Two years ago I lost my best friend, and another great Frog, Merlin Littlefield to pancreatic cancer. God bless...and let's find a cure for this heinous(?) disease.
Rick Hosea
July 23, 2010
I was fortunate to have been a team mate of Mickey's at TCU. He was the greatest athlete I have ever known and was just as fine a person, always humble. If I paid him a compliment he would just pass it off and say he had some great people around him. His second part of his life has been a series of medical miracles and it is amazing that he has been with us as long as he has. He never complained and was always positive and upbeat every time I talked to him. He has had an amazing journey and is in a better place now.
Kathi Records-Jones
July 22, 2010
Cody, I am one of your mom's friends and just wanted to let you know how sorry I am and to tell you that I thought your dad was one of the nicest men I have ever met. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know.
July 22, 2010
Mickey and I were in Mrs. Lafonte's typing class together and had a lot of fun, Mrs Lafonte never had a chance. We played ball together and one could see his talent and good nature come through. Mickey spoke to our church about his heart procedures and really impressed all who heard him that day.
Our prayers go out for Mickey and his family.
Melvin & Pam Murray
Karen Duke
July 22, 2010
Mickey was an incredible man and will be missed. He played basketball for my grandfather at PHS, and remained close with him for many years after. Mac valued his friendship. Rest in Peace Mickey.
Karen Duke and Evelyn McGaugh
Brandy Harrison
July 22, 2010
Fly with the Angels Uncle Mickey... You will be loved and missed dearly, but your gifts will always be remembered and cherished .... Brandy, Kaylin, & Dakota
July 22, 2010
What a football player. He was one of the nicest guyes at Pasadena High School. He will be missed. Will keep all of you in my prayers.Phyllis Wright/Bishop
July 22, 2010
I played basketball with Mickey at Pasadena High School in 1962 and 1963. He was a very gifted athelete.
Ron Shock
Deer Park, Texas
Jeanie McNally Jordan
July 22, 2010
Pasadena has lost a true athlete in every sense of the word. RIP Mickey you will be missed
Rocky Henry
July 22, 2010
One of the best if not the best athlete that Pasadena has ever had. A good friend and he will be missed by many. GOD BLESS His Family Now he is on GODS Team
Maureen Singleton
July 22, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with Mickey's family at this time of sorrow. Those of us who were fellow PHS students around the same time were impressed with his talent and his personality. I know he will be missed.
Mary Ann McCarty-Harrison
July 22, 2010
Rest in peace big brother....you were special....love you !
Jean Brown
July 22, 2010
*****One of my favorite Chiefs*********
Lives touch in unusual ways this short time we have..
Raised in KC and met in Texas
Honored to have known him .
Judy Loftin
July 22, 2010
Mickey was and always in my heart will be my brother- in-law. He was married to my sister Belinda. I just wanted to say he was a real gentleman and he has past that on to Cody. You will be missed.
Shirley Smith
July 21, 2010
Pasadena is sad today. One of Pasadena's favorite sons. Those of us that were in school at the same time remember him as a sports hero who didn't act like he thought he was anything special. He had class then and it sounds as if he continued to be a class act.
July 21, 2010
An old slowpitch softball friend and opponent, from the days in Ft Worth to Corpus to National tournements. Always a gentleman. Mickey will be missed.
Jeff Price
Irving, Tx
John Galbreath
July 21, 2010
One of the best three sport ballplayers Pasadena ever had. You will be missed.
Ernest Mills
July 21, 2010
A great man and friend, I will miss him.
Liza K
July 21, 2010
You will be missed, Mickey...
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