Larry McCarty

Larry Melvin McCarty,76, of McCook, Ne. passed away in Rochester, MN, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009 at the Sandra J. Schulze Hope Lodge while undergoing cancer treatment.

Larry was born on April 21, 1933 in Des Moines, IA to Rea and Pearl (McKinney) McCarty. As a young child, Larry moved with his family to McCook where he graduated from McCook High School in 1951. He attended the University of Nebraska and later returned to McCook.

Larry was united in marriage to Marilyn Jean Almquist on Oct. 26, 1952 in Omaha, Nebraska. To this union four children were born: Christopher, David, Kimbra and Todd. Marilyn preceded him in death on May 19, 1999. Larry married Nadena Langley on Feb. 17, 2004 in Las Vegas.

He began his career in the food service industry. Larry first started the Skylark Snack Bar on West B Street, later selling it and going into business with his parents, building the current Mac's Drive-In in 1959. He was the owner/operator of Happy Times Amusement and Arcade and was instrumental in helping his son get Fairacres Greenery started in 1988.

Larry was a member of the Elks and Eagles clubs. He enjoyed fishing, building RC airplanes, riding his motorcycle, working in his yard, traveling, playing cards, and attending his grandkids activities. His greatest joys and proudest moments were his family.

Preceding him in death were his parents; and wife, Marilyn; and sister, Jacqueline Malcolm.

Survivors include his wife, Nadena, of McCook; sons Chris (Leeann), Dave (Angela), and Todd (Liz), all of McCook; daughter Kim Miller of North Platte; grandchildren, Kyle (Jen) Miller of Hickman, Kurt (Terri) Miller of Kearney, Kristen (Joe) Lienemann of Lincoln, Tyler (Carrie) McCarty of Omaha, Jenni (Evan) Maynard of McCook, Andrew (Ginamarie) McCarty of California, and Amanda, Nathan, Matthew, Laura and Joseph McCarty, all of McCook; and six great-greatchildren: Madelyn, Kayleigh, Lily, Naiyah, Cruz, and Savannah and one due very soon. Step-children include Denise (Richard) Mayland of Alliance and Dena (Pete) Johannes of Sidney; seven step-grandchildren and eleven step-great-grandchildren. Other survivors are brothers-in-law, Robert "Ike" (Bernie) Malcolm of McCook, Jim (Marie) Almquist of Denver, and sister-in-law Kathy Almquist of UT; several nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Memorials were to be given to the Sandra J. Schulze Hope Lodge or the Larry McCarty scholarship fund.

Services were held today at the Carpenter Breland Funeral Home in McCook with Jerry Beckenhauer officiating. Burial was at Memorial Park Cemetery.