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Roland McMackin
Roland N. McMackin
The kind, courageous soul of (Ret.) Lt. Cmdr. Roland Nevil (Mack) McMackin slipped the surly bonds of earth on July 10, 2009, put out his hand and touched the face of God.
Born Oct. 16, 1917, in Hollow Rock, Tenn., Mack was a tenacious but tender man who showed extraordinary leadership from a young age and rose from humble roots to earn notoriety as a college football player in West Tennessee and a Navy pilot during World War II.
Retiring from the Naval Reserve with the rank of commander, Mack was a highly decorated veteran, commanding a squadron of dive bombers that conducted air strikes over Tokyo and several Japanese-held islands in the Pacific. During his three years at sea, he served aboard the USS Lexington, the USS Bon Homme Richard and the USS Randolph. His unit, Air Group 16, had the longest tour of duty of any Navy Air group during the war and was the subject of a recent PBS documentary. For his valor and bravery in combat, Mack earned the Navy Cross, several Distinguished Flying Crosses, an Air Medal and a Purple Heart, among other commendations.
Despite earning many medals and honors throughout his lifetime, what Mack valued most were the simple, intangible treasures of life: good laughter, deep friendship, unwavering faith and steadfast loyalty to those he loved. His hospitality and compassion extended to all those around him, whether he had known them for years or had just met them.
Growing up, Mack was a star athlete who graduated from Central High School in Bruceton, Tenn., and attended both the University of Tennessee and Memphis State University on a football scholarship. An outstanding end, he was named captain of the football team his senior year at Memphis State, where he played on the university's only undefeated, untied team in 1938. He later was inducted into the Memphis State Football and Basketball Hall of Fame in 1980, and the University of Tennessee at Martin Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988. He graduated from Memphis State University in 1939 and was accepted into the Aviation Cadet Training Program with the U.S. Navy in Pensacola, Fla., enlisting in the Navy in July 1940.
Mack married the love of his life, Mary Frances (Honey) Brigance, on March 6, 1942, in Montgomery. They moved to Tuscumbia in 1946, and he founded and owned McMackin's Business Systems, an office supply company, in Sheffield. He continued his interest in both football and flying as a charter member of the Tri-Cities Quarterback Club and an organizer of Air Group 16 reunions.
A dedicated Christian, Mack was a true disciple and exemplified the spirit of Jesus. He was a faithful member of the Tuscumbia Church of Christ, where he was an elder and teacher for many years. Countless teens and young adults sat at his feet and have testified to his influence on their lives. He was a member of the Mars Hill Bible School Board of Directors and served on the Zambia Christian Schools Board of Directors for more than 30 years. His special interest in mission work took him across the world, visiting and encouraging missionaries abroad.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Cornelius Nevil and Lora Bell McMackin; three brothers, Willie, Walter and Joe McMackin; sister, Mary Moore; wife, Honey McMackin; and son, Richard Nevil McMackin. He is survived by his daughter, Pat, and husband, Charles (Buzz) Malone; sons, Mike McMackin and wife, Rebekah, and David McMackin; grandchildren, Drew Malone and wife, Kimberly, Will Malone, Emily McMackin, Susanna and husband, Russ Williams, Lauren McMackin; great-granddaughter, Madelynn Reese Malone; niece, Frances Moore and husband, Glenn; nephews, Dan Webb and wife, Sue, Jimmy Moore, John Malone and wife, Karen.
A celebration of life ceremony will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 12, at Tuscumbia Church of Christ, with Morrison Funeral Home, of Tuscumbia, directing. A time for visiting with the family will be from 2-3 p.m. at the church. Honoring Mack's life with shared memories will be Mike McMackin, Doug Walker, Ralph Foster, Dan Webb and Dr. Milton Sewell. Burial will follow in Colbert Memorial gardens.
The family wishes to thank the caregivers who assisted and loved their father, especially the staff of Station 3 at Mitchell-Hollingsworth Nursing Home.
The family requests that memorials be made to schools special to Mack: Zambia Christian Schools, 3103 E. Memorial Rd., Edmond, OK 73013, or the Roland N. and Mary Frances (Honey) Brigance McMackin Scholarship Fund at Mars Hill Bible School.
Published in Florence Times Daily on July 12, 2009