Donald B. "Mr. Mac" McLagan, 95, of Waycross, GA died Wednesday morning at his residence after an extended illness.
He was born, July 4, 1917 to Donald and Emily Podolak McLagan and grew up in the Bronx. Mr. McLagan married Mary Alice Truran on May 14, 1942 and then entered the service where he served as a captain in World War II in the US Army Air Corps.
He graduated from White Plains High School and Colgate University in Hamilton and obtained his masters degree and worked on his doctorate at New York University.
“Mr. Mac” began his teaching career at Brewster High School in 1941 as an English teacher and retired in 1974 after 33 years. He was very involved in student plays and productions and started a school newspaper known as “The Bear Facts." He was also the organizer of the Hot Dog Wagon, which sold refreshments at football games to raise money for student activities.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday school and for many years he was the Sunday school superintendent. He became a lay preacher for the church and was a longtime member of the choir.
When they moved to Waycross in 1975 they became involved in Trinity United Methodist Church, where he sang in the choir and taught the Charles Wesley Sunday school class. He was a member of the Waycross Lions Club.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Alice Truran McLagan in 2003; his grandson, Peter John O'Steen; his great-granddaughter, Sutton Joy Hazzard; one great-grandson, Riley Mason White. Survivors include three daughters: Donna Hazzard and her husband Richard of Patterson, Dr. Carol McLagan of Waycross, GA, Meriliss White and her husband George of Blackshear, GA; six grandchildren: George White, III, Norman White and his wife Lesley, Richard Hazzard, Jr. and his wife Carol, Dr. Timothy Hazzard and his wife Dr.Kelly Hazzard, Matthew Hazzard, Geoffrey Hazzard and his wife Heather; ten great-grandchildren: Justen, Harley, Greer, Sloane Alexa, Mikayla, Justin, Kiera, Dillan and Joshua.
A funeral service will be held at noon Saturday at the Dwyer Funeral Home, 23 South Street in Patterson. Interment will be in Maple Avenue Cemetery in Patterson. Friends may call at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. prior to the service. Contribution in his memory may be made to:
The Trinity Methodist Church Organ Fund
1005 Church Street
Waycross, GA 31501
or
The Hospice Satilla
808 EvergreenWay
Waycross, GA 31501
