Michael L. McCarty, MD

Michael L. McCarty, MD

Jan. 18, 1955 - Nov. 6, 2014

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. -- Michael L. McCarty, 59, of Grand Island, died Thursday, Nov. 6, 2014, as the result of a fatal plane crash in Paulding County, Ohio.

Memorial services will be Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, at 11 a.m. at St Mary's Cathedral, Grand Island, Nebraska, with Reverend Richard Piontkowski officiating. Reception and dinner to follow at St. Mary's Parish Center. There will be no visitation. Inurnment will be at a later date. Apfel Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Dr. McCarty was born to John McCarty and Frieda Faye Neth on Jan. 18, 1955, in Hastings, Nebraska. Starting at age 7, Dr. McCarty started working to help contribute to his family, which lead to his work ethic and success in life, that he took pride in. He graduated from Hastings High School in 1973. He then graduated from University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 1976, where he was Phi Beta Kappa and University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1981, with high distinction. He finished a residency in orthopedics surgery in San Antonio, Texas in 1986. With all these accomplishments, he had many influential figures. One of the most influential being Ralph Phelps, who had a tremendous effect on his character and who he was as a man.

On Aug. 1, 1975, Michael married Deborah Phelps, his high school sweetheart who he had been with since the seventh grade and to this marriage were born four children.

Dr. McCarty practiced in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, in 1986-1990; he practiced in Grand Island, Nebraska at Central Nebraska Orthopedics until the present time, practicing in Grand Island, Hastings, Broken Bow, Lexington, Holdrege and McCook. Dr. McCarty had many interests such as flying, grilling, gardening, swimming, travel, the Huskers and all sports especially following all the community kids. Most of all he cherished his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and siblings. Dr. McCarty served on two medical mission trips to Haiti with Grace 4 Haiti Medical Mission, of which his son Ryan accompanied.

Dr. Michael McCarty is survived by his father John McCarty of Grand Island; sons, Michael (Jade) McCarty of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, and Ryan McCarty of Durham, North Carolina; daughters, Kelly McCarty of Dallas, Texas, and Kristy McCarty of Hoboken, New Jersey; sisters, Kim Gangwish of Grand Island and Marlene (Lynn) Casey of Overland Park, Kansas; brothers, Jack (Renee') McCarty of Lincoln, Nebraska, Dan (Judy) McCarty of The Woodlands, Texas, and Kevin McCarty of Lincoln; grandchildren, Kennedi and Kaiden Grimes of Dallas and Caitlin McCarty of Okmulgee; 12 nieces and nephews and their children, as well as many other relatives and numerous friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John A. McCarty and Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Neth, as well as his mother, Freida Faye (Neth-McCarty) Brooke and stepfather, Robert Brooke; stepmother, Val McCarty and infant brother, Thomas Keith McCarty.

In honor of Mike, instead of flowers, please make memorial contributions to: Grace 4 Haiti Mission or Hastings Nebraska YMCA.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.apfelfuneralhome.com.