Extracted from The Daily Press (Victorville, CA)
Wednesday, May 2, 2007

AARON MCCARTY

Aaron Leroy “Roy” McCarty was killed in a motorcycle accident Wednesday, April 25, 2007. He was doing something he loved. He was on his motorcycle going to Laughlin and it seems fitting that he was in the lead. There was a previous wreck and an 18-wheeler was stopped ahead. He did not stop in time and was killed instantly. Several of his friends were hurt, but everyone else survived. He will be missed mightily by his family and friends.

Roy was born in Henrietta, Oklahoma on Oct. 8, 1933. He came to California as a young child with his family, like so many others, during the Depression. He was born partially deaf, but you couldn't tell from his love of music, his enthusiastic motorcycle racing or the enjoyment he got from church.

In 1957, Roy married Donnalee McDonald. She had two children he raised as his own. In 1963, they had a son, Aaron Kirk. In December 1958, Roy brought his family to the desert. His friend Charles Eastman helped him get a job at La Habra Products, later known as Pleuss Stauffer. He retired after more than 30 years there. Roy often rose to positions of leadership rather than feel sorry for himself because of his disability. He was Kirk's coach, scout leader, Royal Ranger leader and later a leader in the deaf community here in the High Desert. He has served on the board of directors of Mojave Deaf Services and as the president of the High Desert Association for the Deaf. He also attended Calvary Chapel High Desert and was involved with the deaf community there.

Roy is survived by his son, Kirk McCarty, of Hesperia; his step-daughter, Bette Holzer, of Thousand Oaks; his sister, Vivian McGill, of Idaho; his brother, Oron McCarty, of Oregon; his brother, Ken McCarty, of Lucerne Valley; 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

There will be a memorial service at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Calvary Chapel High Desert, 14740 Eucalyptus in Hesperia, 948-2812. There will be a potluck at the church immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking you donate to Calvary Chapel Deaf Ministries at the above address.

Victor Valley Mortuary is handling arrangements.