Terry Lee McCarty, 77, of Gas City, Indiana, passed away on October 3, 2026, surrounded by the family he loved so deeply after a courageous battle with multiple health challenges.
Terry was born July 15, 1949, in Elkhart, Indiana, to Charles Edward McCarty and Leona May Anglemeyer. He grew up in Mishawaka and graduated from Wakarusa High School.
From 1969 to 1972, Terry proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. His service was only one example of the courage that would define his life. Years later, Terry would twice battle and beat cancer related to his exposure to Agent Orange. Through every challenge he faced, including those during the final months of his life, Terry remained remarkably strong. He rarely complained about pain or his circumstances. He simply kept fighting.
Terry was married to Debra Ann (Jessie) Ryan from 1975 to 1982, and he later survived her passing. He went on to share 38 years of marriage with his wife, Sandra Francine McCarty. Together, Terry and Sandy built a family centered on love, faith, inclusion, and showing up for one another. Over the years, they also opened their home and hearts to several foster children.
Terry worked at the Waste Water Treatment Plant in Marion, Indiana, Camp Comanche in Liberty, New York, and Carey Services in Marion. One of the roles he was especially proud of was serving as a Special Olympics coach throughout the state of Indiana. Helping others, encouraging them, and making sure people felt seen came naturally to Terry.
Those who knew Terry knew a man who could be quiet and mellow while somehow also being legendary. He was strong, funny, generous, brave, humble, and fiercely protective of the people he loved. He listened well, gave thoughtful advice, checked in on people, and had a way of bringing lightness into a room. He made people feel valued.
He was known for his smile, his hugs, his dad jokes, his dancing, his faith, and his devotion to family. He was also rarely seen without one of his groovy Christian T-shirts, which became almost as recognizable as his beard, his smile, and the warmth he brought with him wherever he went.
Terry was a man who consistently showed up.
As a father, Terry gave his children something invaluable: stability. He made time for them. He cheered for them. He included them. He created a sense that the world was safe and that they never had to question whether Dad would be there.
He also reminded everyone not to take life too seriously. Among the phrases his family will always hear in his voice are, “Drive cheerfully,” “Don’t worry, be happy,” and most importantly, “I love you.”
Faith was central to Terry’s life. He attended Church of God of Prophecy and Lighthouse AG Bible Study. His family remembers praying together, singing together, sharing devotions, attending church, and reading the Christmas story together every Christmas Eve. Terry didn’t simply talk about what he believed. He lived it.
He loved the outdoors, especially camping, fishing, boating, and simply being near the water. Given one more day with him, his family says they would be happy doing nothing more complicated than sitting beside him near the water. His favorite animal was the bald eagle, a fitting favorite for someone who valued freedom, strength, faith, and the beauty of the natural world.
Music was another great love. His collection and tastes stretched across generations and genres, including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Canned Heat, Keith Green, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Beatles, Petra, The Marshall Tucker Band, Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top, Jelly Roll, Post Malone, and the Gaithers. One unforgettable music memory was attending the Bull Island Music Festival, and later seeing Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top live with his son-in-law and grandson.
Terry loved vinyl records and searching antique shops for treasures. One memory his son Ryan will always treasure is digging through hundreds of vinyl records together, never quite knowing what they might find.
He loved sports, particularly the Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Fever, and, as he would say, “Da Bears.” He collected Hot Wheels cars and sports cards, loved pocketknives, enjoyed road trips and driving, and watching his grandchildren participate in sporting events and performances.
And Terry loved to eat, slowly.
Family members fondly remember that a meal with Terry could somehow turn into a four-hour event. They remember cake and ice cream with milk poured over it, M&M’s, trips to Cracker Barrel and The Old Fitz Pub, and Terry occasionally sneaking treats to the kids.
They remember his dancing too, including one memorable performance of “The Twist” when Terry kept twisting until he made it all the way to the floor. They remember the surprise when he shaved his beard after years of wearing it and discovered that Sandy was not nearly as enthusiastic about the change as he might have expected.
They remember long family road trips from Indiana to New York and the games Terry invented to make the miles go faster. They remember singing, working out together, fishing stories, worship, laughter, and countless ordinary moments that became extraordinary simply because Dad was there.
One story perhaps captures Terry better than any other. During a serious family car accident, Terry turned the steering wheel in a way that helped save his family, breaking both of his wrists in the process. It was an extraordinary act, but to those who knew Terry, it was simply who he was. He protected the people he loved.
Terry is survived by his children, Vanessa (Stephen) Phillips of California, Rachael (Jerry) Eyer of Gas City, Ryan (Katara) McCarty of Indianapolis, Delena McCarty of Indianapolis, Mona McCarty of Marion, Luke McCarty of Marion, Adam (April) McCarty of Young America, Joey McCarty of Columbus, Justin (Ashli) McCarty of Marion, Ben (Sara) McCarty of Marion, Darrell McCarty of Gas City, Monte McCarty of Gas City, and Heidi Anglemeyer of Florida; as well as the many children Terry and Sandy fostered throughout the years.
He is also survived by his grandchildren, Bria, Brenna, Paris, Joel, Amaris, Jayse, Jenessa, Brooke, Derek, Spencer, Dustin, Michaela, Jordan, Jhaiden, Malachi, McKenzie, Jaylan, Issac, Phoenix, Kaisen, Serenity, Verity, Felicity, Chris, Cherish, Krystal, and Eli; and his great-grandchildren, Audrina, Atlas, Leya, Aiden, Kiptyn, Katelynn, Kylie, Jazirra, Israel, Royal, Huxley, Ethan, Elijah, Levi, Benjamin, Lilah, Luna, Layla, Anthony, Naiyeli, Yeshua, Macee, Iliana, Kena, Ariana, A’Lisha, Lidia, and Alexander.
Terry is further survived by his brother, Dennis McCarty; sisters, Pat (Randy) Koselak and Tena Summerville; sister-in-law, Gail (Dan) Perecky; several nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends; and his beloved cat, Bella.
In addition to his parents and his wife, Sandra Francine McCarty, Terry was also preceded in death by his former wife, Jessie; his wife, Sandy; his son, Timothy; grandchildren, Monica, Jasmine, Makinna, and Myleigh; and great-grandchild, Dulce.
Terry’s family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Shankaran Srikanth, MD, and the entire staff at Ascension St. Vincent for the care and compassion they provided Terry and his family during his final days.
The best way to understand Terry may be through the legacy he leaves behind. He taught his family to be faithful, to love deeply, to show up for people, to make others feel included, and to remember that life does not always need to be taken so seriously.
His family will miss his hugs. They will miss his laugh, his smile, his music, his jokes, his advice, his steadiness, his groovy T-shirts, and simply knowing that he was there.
Terry was a man who taught his family how to love.
And he was a man who lived what he believed.
Family and friends are invited to gather in celebration of Terry’s life on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at 2:22 p.m.
Gas City Park, Shelter 5
701 South Broadway St.
Gas City, IN 46933
This gathering will be a time to remember Terry, share stories, laugh, reflect, and celebrate the life of a man who meant so much to so many.
Memorial contributions may be made in Terry’s memory to The Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516.
Arrangements are being handled by Needham-Storey-Wampner Funeral & Cremation Service, Storey Chapel, 400 E. Main St., Gas City, IN.
Memories may be shared online at www.nswcares.com.
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