Joseph John Macko

Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Wednesday at Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, followed by a reception from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Private interment: Moore Memorial Gardens. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Moore Funeral Home. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Steve Macko Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 121914, Arlington, Texas 76012. His son, Steve, an All-American at Baylor University and a Chicago Cubs infielder in 1979-80, passed away from cancer at age 27 in 1981. In his memory, Joe founded the Steve Macko Scholarship Fund. Joe, a native of Port Clinton, Ohio, was born on Feb. 19, 1928, to John and Barbara Macko. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians, where he met his wife, Dorothy, while playing baseball in Burlington, Iowa. They were married in Dallas in 1952, had four children, and remained married 55 years. Joe slugged 306 home runs in nearly 2,000 minor league games in the Indians and Cubs organizations. He served as a player-manager in the Cubs organization during his final four pro seasons, coached with Chicago's major league club in 1964, and later served as the general manager of the Texas League's Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs in 1970-71. Joe joined the Texas Rangers as the team's business manager in 1971. He then became home clubhouse manager the following year and moved to the visiting clubhouse from 1995-2000. After retirement, Joe assumed the role of the team's Goodwill Ambassador, making hundreds of personal appearances over the next 12 years.

Joe was preceded in death by his sisters, Anna Macko and Mary Camarata. Joe's wife Dorothy passed away in 2007.

Survivors: Joe is survived by his sister,Katy and brother-in-law, Kenny Limestahl; son, Mike and daughter-in-law, Brooke Macko; daughter, Karen and son-in-law, Josh Wells; daughter, Linda and son-in-law, Chris Eadler; granddaughter, Lindsey and husband, Craig Sims; great-grandson, Cooper; grandson, Jay Ayers and wife, Erica.