Mark Alan McCarty

Mark Alan McCarty, age 66, resident of Springfield, Missouri, passed away on September 29, 2025. He was born on November 12, 1958, to James and Retha McCarty. Mark grew up in Winfield, Kansas graduating from Winfield Senior High School in 1976. He attended Independence Junior College, where he served as a photographer for the school newspaper, and later earned his Bachelor of Science in Technology from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. He began his career at Hutto Printing, owned and operated a windshield repair business, and concluded his career managing the Postal and Printing Services, as well as Copy This at Missouri State University for over 25 years.

Mark loved the Lord and knew Jesus as his personal Savior. He lived his life bathed in God’s love, and it shone through him. He grew up in the First Christian Church in Winfield, where he was baptized. When he moved to Emporia, Kansas, he became a member of Flint Hills Christian Church. In Springfield, Missouri, he attended Hope Church, Park Crest/Calvary Temple, and Finley River Cowboy Church. It was not unusual for a dozen children to come home with the McCartys on Sundays after church for lunch and games.

Mark married Teresa Rantz on June 4, 1983, and loved her with every breath. They cared for many foster children over five years. Their oldest child, Patreace, joined their family during this time, Mark’s good humor and flair for story-telling lives on in her. His son Kyle was born in 1988 and inherited his father’s love of the outdoors. His daughter Kaitlyn completed their family in 1992 and possesses her father’s love of and talent for music. Although this was the family that lived together, the number of people who called Mark “dad” or “grandpa” is too numerous to count. His gentleness, wisdom, love, good sense and ornery sense of humor earned him a place as an honorary father or grandfather to anyone who was in need of one.

Mark was a person who entered rooms with strangers and left with friends. He loved trout fishing, and if he went missing, could be found around a campfire at Roaring River. He was a founding member and proud pillar of the Viking Trout Bums. He went to church on Sunday mornings and watched NASCAR in the afternoon. He enjoyed anything with a motor, and as a young adult, was an avid rider of motorcycles, dirt bikes, and ATVs. As a father, he converted this love into slot cars and hobby trains that he could enjoy with his children.

Mark is survived by his wife, Teresa McCarty; father and mother-in-law, Leon and Bonnie Rantz; daughters, Patreace (Ryan) Meister and Kaitlyn (Wesley) McCarty-Sconce; son, Kyle (Brittany) McCarty; brother, Tom (Pat) McCarty; sister, Jeannine (Walt) Miller; grandchildren, Kaylee, Cullen, Mason and Liam; great-grandchild, Soryn; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Larry McCarty; and his sister, Debra Lynn McCarty.

The world is colder and paler without him in it. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

In lieu of flowers or food, we would love to memorialize Mark with donations toward a park bench or picnic table in his honor at Roaring River State Park, when they have one available. Donations made in excess of this goal will be given to the Prevent Cancer Foundation.

A funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Finley River Cowboy Church, Highlandville, Missouri with Pastor Jeff Bryant officiating.  Burial will follow at Eisenhour Cemetery, Spokane, Missouri.  Visitation will be 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Friday, October 3, 2025, at Adams Funeral Home, Nixa.