We lost a good friend and valued writer for Arlington Today magazine on October 27, when Carlos A. Mendez Jr., 57, was struck during his morning run. His passing has left a deep ache throughout our local journalism community and among everyone who had the privilege of working alongside him.
Carlos’s path as a storyteller began long before his professional career. Raised in San Angelo, he developed his writing talents early through the Lake View journalism program, earning numerous UIL awards and a Carr Scholarship that recognized both his skill and potential. He stepped into the newsroom straight out of high school, quickly finding his rhythm in sports reporting, where his voice, curiosity, and dedication set him apart.
Over the decades, Carlos built an extraordinary career, spending almost twenty years with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram covering major league baseball, NASCAR, the Dallas Cowboys, TCU athletics, and powerhouse high school programs across Texas. Colleagues consistently described him as one of the strongest feature writers in the field, a reporter who saw people first and stories second. His work resonated because he led with humility, kindness, and a genuine respect for the athletes and communities he covered.
Carlos brought that same steady presence to Arlington Today, where he was appreciated not only for his talent but for the warmth and humor he shared behind the scenes. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia, and his sons, Samuel and Luke. His legacy lives on in the stories he crafted, the people he uplifted, and the friendships he built along the way.
