Carl “B.” McCabe, 89 years old, of Skellytown, Texas, peacefully drew his last breath when Jesus called his name on Monday, April 1, 2024, with his family at his side.
He was born in Cleveland, Oklahoma on October 25, 1934, to Kinard and Lela McCabe.
Carl’s family moved from Oklahoma to Skellytown where he attended Skellytown Grade School and graduated from White Deer High School in 1953.
On April 11, 1969, he married Susan Gray Peterson in Las Vegas, Nevada; the beginning of a 55-year love story and life journey. They both worked at the Nevada test site when they met.
Carl dedicated most of his career to the oilfield industry, working his way up as a fishing tool expert that allowed him and Sue to travel around the world. Together they were able to live in England, Singapore, The Philippines, and Indonesia.
While in the Philippines, between 1979 – 1982, Carl owned his own business and the two named it Geo-Petro Service & Supply.
In Singapore, Carl volunteered for the Cajun Chefs and on the “chain gang” for the SACAC youth football program.
In 1997, he and Sue made a final move home to Skellytown from Singapore.
Carl traveled back and forth from Skellytown to Asia for 3 years and did eventually retire, but only for a brief time as he decided it wasn’t for him; he could never stay idle for long. He eventually returned to oilfield consulting for a few years before permanently retiring.
In retirement, Carl and Sue traveled in their motorhome around the Southwest and then to volunteer with Texas Baptist Men Camp Builders to camps – especially his favorite ones, Panfork and Riverbend.
He loved the comradery with other retirees, the satisfying hard work with his hands and Carl loved the singing. He also loved working on ‘Ole Blue (his 1961 Ford pickup) acquired in a Las Vegas government auction in the late 1960’s.
Probably the longest Carl sat still for any length of time was to work on his crossword puzzles.
Carl’s willingness to experience new things, his playful sense of humor, and love for his family and friends will be missed so deeply.
Those who eagerly awaited his arrival into Heaven were his parents; two daughters, Katherine McCabe, Rebecca Pelletier; a sister and brother-in-law, Shella Dean Collins and Cleatus Collins.
Left to reminisce and cherish their precious memories are his wife of 55 years, Susan “Sue” McCabe of Skellytown; three children, Lynn Hirsch and husband Elliot of Tulsa, OK, Carl Mitchell McCabe and wife Paula of Kingston, OK, Stacie Ocnaschek and husband Robert of Bedford, TX; a brother, Jack B. McCabe and wife Kay of Waxahachie, OK; six grandchildren, Melanie Pelletier Kinter, Travis Pelletier and wife Lindsey, Katie Pelletier, Emily Pelletier, Michael Ocnaschek, Vincent Ocnaschek, Hannah Ocnaschek; seven great-grandchildren, Stella Kinter, Maya Kinter, Annika Kinter, Jon Pelletier, Jack Pelletier, James Pelletier, Jordan Pelletier and numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family members who love and miss him.
Should donations be a preference, the family kindly suggests they be made to First Baptist Church of Skellytown, PO Box 156, Skellytown, TX 79080 or to Panfork Baptist Encampment, 4530 Co Rd 210, Wellington, TX 79095 in honor of Carl.
Celebration of Life Funeral Services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 6, 2024, at First Baptist Church Skellytown with Pastor Carter Pirtle officiating. Interment will immediately follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery.
The family has entrusted the care of their loved one to Winegeart Funeral Home.
For those wanting to leave words of love and condolences for the family on Carl’s Book of Memories, please visit www.winegeartfuneral.com.
