Carlton Clarence McLarty

Carlton McLarty, 66, of Dallas,Texas, died Jan. 13 after a long struggle with kidney cancer. Carlton was born in Lubbock, Texas, and had lived in Dallas for 20 years, where he practiced federal criminal defense law. A private graveside service will be held Saturday at Resthaven Cemetery with a memorial and celebration of life at 3 p.m. at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Lubbock at 2801 42nd St. Carlton graduated from Monterrey High School in Lubbock in 1968. He attended Texas Tech University before graduating from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He then graduated from The University of Texas at Austin School of Law before beginning private practice in Lubbock. Carlton’s longtime professional interest was in defense of people accused of crimes. He held a deep belief in the rule of law and how it affected every person. One colleague said Carlton was, “a great mentor and friend. Many people owe their freedom to him.” Among his many legal accolades, he was named criminal defense lawyer of the year in 1989 by the Lubbock County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. He was an active Democrat, especially during the 2004 presidential election when he volunteered to support Howard Dean’s campaign in Iowa. Carlton was also an avid outdoorsman, growing up hiking, fishing and mountain climbing with brothers, cousins and friends, especially in Colorado. He canoed and rafted white water rapids throughout this U.S. One of his many joys was cooking up a gourmet riverside camp meal for fellow rafters. He especially enjoyed hiking and camping with his daughter, Gemma, 20, of Dallas. Additionally, Carlton was an avid music fan, whose tastes ran from early American folk music and punk rock to bluegrass and Frank Sinatra. He also took every chance to play his 5-string banjo, guitar and ukelele. The numerous piles of books around the house are a testament to his extensive love of reading. He and his wife, Amy, of Dallas, shared a love for film, food, wine and international travel. Survivors also include his parents, John and Sara McLarty of Lubbock; a brother John Chris and wife Lynn of Fayetteville, Arkansas; a brother Davis and wife Kay of Austin; and a brother Matthew and wife Toressa of Lubbock; and many nieces and nephews. Carlton was a part of a tight-knit family based in Lubbock, that includes uncle Marvin Jr. McLarty, of Lubbock; and cousins Marvin McLarty III of El Cerito, California; Tommy McLarty and Lynn McLarty, both of Lubbock; Ellen McLarty of Santa Fe; Eugene Kovach of West Fork, Arkansas; George Kovach of Fayetteville, Arkansas; and Truda Milam of Collierville, Tennessee. Additional survivors include Melissa Mira O’Connell of Albuquerque; Amanda Hines of Austin; and Brett Hines of Republic, Washington. His adventurous spirit will be missed by his family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family recommends donations be made in Carlton’s memory to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.