Carroll Walter "Whitey" Lockman

Carroll Walter "Whitey" Lockman Passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, at age 82, on March 17, 2009. Whitey was born on July 25, 1926 to Charles and Eunice Lockman in Lowell, NC. He grew up in Homestead village in North Carolina and at the age of 18, made his major league debut with the New York Giants hitting a home run in his first at bat. With the Giants, he was an All-Star (1952) and won a World Series (1954). In 1951, he hit a ninth inning double and was on second base, when Bobby Thomson hit a home run that was known as the "Shot Heard 'Round the World," winning the pennant against the Brooklyn Dodgers and sending the Giants to the World Series. He played for the Giants from 1943-1956, St Louis Cardinals (1956), New York Giants (1957), San Francisco Giants (1958), Baltimore Orioles (1959 and the Cincinnati Reds (1959-1960). He coached with the San Francisco Giants and the Chicago Cubs. He managed the Chicago Cubs (1972-1974) succeeding Leo Durocher. His baseball career continued in the front office of the Cubs as director of player development until 1989, when he joined the Montreal Expos in a similar capacity. He joined the Florida Marlins in 1993 and won a World Series with them in 1997. He retired from professional baseball after 60 years in 2001 to care for his wife of 50 years, Shirley, during her unsuccessful battle with cancer; and his son David who suffered from muscular dystrophy. Whitey and his family originally lived in Charlotte, NC, before moving to Scottsdale, AZ, in 1970. He married his wife Linda in 2007. Whitey will be remembered as a loving son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. He was a skilled raconteur with a loving, generous nature. He regularly kept in touch with his childhood friends in North Carolina, as well as many other friends and relatives from coast to coast. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Shirley; son, David; and sisters Nell and Lois. He will be sorely missed by his wife, Linda; his children, Linda McCorkle (Chuck), Cheryl Sue Lockman, Kay Neal (Mike), Nancy Lockman, Robert Lockman; granddaughter Joanie Swearingen; brother-in-law, Ed Conner; sister Peggy Patrick; brother Charles Lockman; and extended family, including Rick and Jennifer Blain and their daughters, Paige and Bridget. A private memorial service will be held on Friday, March 20 in Scottsdale, AZ. Arrangements by Messinger Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested in Whitey's name to the American Lung Association.