On Jan. 14, 2025, the community of Littlefield joined Pastor McCarty in celebrating the second annual John D. McCarty Day.
Family, friends, pastors and local church members gathered at Peace Delivery Baptist Church for a meal consisting of pulled pork sandwiches, chips, peach cobbler, banana pudding, pecan pie, lemon and chocolate cake.
John McCarty was born in Paris, Texas, in 1933. In 1939, he and his family moved to Littlefield, where he grew up and graduated from Dunbar High School in 1955.
Before graduating high school, McCarty attended Tyler Barber School in Tyler, Texas; he graduated in 1953. McCarty then took over McCarty’s Barber Shop. His dad gifted the shop to him and McCarty later passed it down to his nephew.
McCarty faced challenges during his education, one being seg-regation laws. That didn’t stop him. He later pursued a higher education in Houston, earning his mortician license in 1958.
In February 1960, McCarty married Opal Mildred Clayton. Together, they had two children, Hubert Miller and Mary Browne. In 2017, Clayton passed away. McCarty’s career as a mortician allowed him to meet Clayton.
“We met through working at different funerals with different people,” McCarty said.
While working for a funeral home in Fort Worth, McCarty became associated with Clayton after working a funeral for a family member of hers. She was also a pastor at Peace Delivery Baptist Church.
Now, at the age of 92, McCarty continues his daily routine.
“I get up every morning, six days a week, every day and go and work out at the gym,” McCarty said.
His schedule includes weekly Bible study and brotherhood meetings, tending and delivering vegetables from his garden, mowing lawns and ministering at Peace Delivery Baptist Church.
“You are so thankful when you find out people think enough of you – who want to do something for you, support you and have a special day for you,” McCarty said.