Michael "Mike" Henry McCarty

Mike was born in Austin, Texas, on September 6, 1947, to William Henry and Elaine Burton McCarty. Born and raised in Austin, he was proud to be a fifth-generation Austinite.

In 1966, Mike graduated from McCallum High School before attending Sam Houston State University, where he thoroughly enjoyed fraternity life as a member of Alpha Tau Omega. During summer breaks, he began working for his father’s mechanical contracting company. In 1969, Mike began working full time at The McCarty Corporation, the family business founded by his father, Mac McCarty. Around this time, he married and became the proud father of two daughters, Trista and Raina, whom he fiercely loved and protected.

Mike enjoyed bird hunting, water skiing, and golf. He was animal lover with a special place in his heart for his golden retrievers. However, his greatest passions in life centered around the businesses he built and the world of Thoroughbred horse racing.

While working in the family business, Mike developed extensive knowledge in estimating, project management, bookkeeping, accounting, banking, and bonding. In 1982, The McCarty Corporation expanded into a general contracting firm specializing in government renovation projects for the Army Corps of Engineers, Department of the Navy, and Department of the Air Force on military bases throughout the United States. Mike purchased his dad’s interest in The McCarty Corporation and continued to grow the business. He also created Texas Capital Contractors, Tex-Cap Electric, Inc., and merged businesses to create TruForm Metal Service. Through his expertise, determination, and unwavering personal integrity, The McCarty Corporation became a respected leader among federal contractors. Under Mike’s direction, the once small family business grew into a major contender in federal contract acquisitions.

Mike treated his employees as an extension of his family, fostering a workplace built on high expectations, respect, and loyalty. He demanded excellence while rewarding dedication generously. He deeply valued the hard work and commitment of his employees and considered many of them part of his second family.

Mike’s competitive spirit was most evident in Thoroughbred horse racing. Watching his horses race brought him tremendous joy and excitement. Over the years, he celebrated Breeders’ Cup starters including Private Vow, Storm Treasure, Unbridle’s Note, and Private Creed. Additionally, his horses competed in the Belmont Stakes and Preakness Stakes, and in 2006 he proudly had two Kentucky Derby starters, Storm Treasure and Private Vow.

Mike was also a quiet but deeply impactful philanthropist. In the early 1980s, he donated funds, toys and bicycles to the Junior League of Austin. During the late 1980s and 1990s, he supported and participated in the Lonestar Classic Golf Tournament benefiting the Lonestar Paralysis Foundation for spinal cord injury research.

As an Inaugural Founder of what is now known as Rodeo Austin, Mike joined several Austin businessmen in 1983 to raise funds and build the Travis County Expo Center, originally designed as the home of the Austin-Travis County Livestock Show. Though the organization evolved into Star of Texas and today’s Rodeo Austin, Mike remained dedicated to supporting Texas kids through the Youth Auction. He generously contributed record-setting amounts for Grand Champion Steers, which significantly impacted the scholarship fund, a cause especially close to his heart.

Starting in 1996, Mike was a significant supporter of Children’s Hospital of Austin at Brackenridge during the formative years that helped establish Austin as a premier destination for pediatric healthcare and ultimately contributed to the growth of Dell Children’s Medical Center. When the South Tower was being built, the Foundation expressed interest in honoring Mike by naming the building after him. In true Mike McCarty fashion, he declined and instead requested the building be dedicated to his parents, W.H. and Elaine McCarty.

Throughout the years, many stories emerged of anonymous acts of generosity connected to Mike — helping a young man purchase a car, assisting families burdened by medical debt, and quietly helping countless individuals in need. Though he preferred to remain behind the scenes, his compassion and generosity touched many lives.

The impact Mike left on the Austin community is an indelible mark that many will never realize. But those that knew him can never forget him. He will be remembered for his strength, loyalty, hilarious sense of humor, quick wit, sharp intellect, and that deep gravel voice. He was a master of the art of storytelling and did it often. He lived life on his terms completely. Mike held high expectations and demanded the best of people but was equally fair. Some may view him as hard, and at times he was, but he had a generous and compassionate heart bigger than Texas. Mike worked relentlessly to provide and protect. He was a loyal friend and a fierce defender of family and those he loved.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, William Henry “Mac” McCarty and Elaine “Mimi” Burton McCarty, and his sister-in-law, Barbara Harrison McCarty.

He is survived by his two daughters whom he cherished and adored, Trista McCarty Parks and husband Steve, and Raina McCarty Vasquez; his five grandchildren, RJ Vasquez, Hunter Parks and wife Harley, Gabriella Vasquez, Jackson Parks, and Michael Vasquez; and his two great-grandchildren, Stetson Parks and Baby Parks.

He is also survived by his brother, Patrick “Pat” Alan McCarty; nieces and nephew, Kathren McCarty and Julie Wiernik, Patrick McCarty and wife Bridget, and Lesley McCarty Jordan and husband Kyle.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 3, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas, with a family-hosted Rosary beginning at 7:00 pm.

Visitation will continue Thursday, June 4, at 9:00 am to 11:00 am, preceding the funeral service at 11:00 am. Committal services will immediately follow at Austin Memorial Park, 2800 Hancock Drive, Austin, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the “Mike McCarty Memorial Endowment,” payable to Rodeo Austin, or donate online at https://rodeoaustin.com/youth-ag-programs/scholarships/donate/memorial/

Please include “Mike McCarty Memorial Endowment” in the notes section.