Clarence Alexander (Mac) McArthur, Jr., 91, died peacefully Tuesday, January 14, 2014, in Tryon Estates, Columbus, NC. Known as “Daddy Mac” to his family, he was born in Lumberton, NC the son of the late Clarence Alexander McArthur, Sr. and Leigh Pope McArthur. Mac graduated from Davidson College in 1943.
He served with distinction as infantry captain in WWII from l943-46, earning the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He helped found Standard Life Insurance, Rock Hill, SC in l946 serving as President until his retirement in l983. Professionally he was a member of the SC Life & Health Guaranty Association and was a director of Peoples Trust Company and Smith Enterprises.
Over the years Mac was active in numerous organizations in Rock Hill including chairman – Housing Authority, United Fund and the YMCA. He also served on the Presbyterian College Board of Trustees from l982-91 and was an elder in the Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church. In retirement, Mac was active in many religious, community and educational causes in the Montreat, NC area.
Surviving is a sister, Mary Kathryn “Cassie” Broadway of Charlotte, N.C.; four sons, Clarence Alexander McArthur III (Cindy) of Hartsville, S.C., John Rankin McArthur (Margaret Herman) of Cary, N.C., James Gayle McArthur of Nashville, Tenn., and Leigh Pope McArthur (Wendy) of Dunwoody, Ga. Also surviving are grandchildren, Lex McArthur, Pressley Mc-Arthur, Carey McArthur Glasscock (David), Park Mc-Arthur, Alexandra McArthur, Bradford McArthur, and Thomas McArthur (Jayme) and caregiver, Della Mae Gardner. He was married to Gayle Rankin McArthur (1952 – 1999) and Betty Canon McArthur (2002 – 2010).
Memorial services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 22, 2014 in the Auditorium of Tryon Estates. Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, 130 Forest Glen Dr., Columbus, NC 28722 or to the Salvation Army, 239 3rd Ave., Hendersonville, NC 28792. An on-line guest register may be signed at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com McFarland Funeral Chapel, Tryon, NC.