Dr. Claude McGhee “Mack” Calcote, 78, of Bristol, Tenn., recently moved to Indian Land, S.C., passed away on Saturday, March 1, 2014. He was born in Newberry, S.C., son of the late Reverend Claude Allen and the late Janet McGhee Calcote. Dr. Calcote was a graduate of Tennessee High School and a 1957 graduate of Davidson College and Emory University School of Medicine in 1961. A veteran, he served an Army internship at William Beaumont Hospital in El Paso, Tex., and later as a flight surgeon in Korea. He returned to Emory for his surgery residency after his service in the Army. He was a general surgeon in Bristol from 1968 through 1995, including a term as Chief of Surgery at Bristol Memorial Hospital, and later as Medical Director of Occupational Medicine at Bristol Regional Medical Center until his retirement.
Active in the church and community, Dr. Calcote served on the Board of Directors of the American Red Cross and Healing Hands Health Care. He was also an honorary member of the Bristol Rotary Club. As an active member of First Presbyterian Church, Dr. Calcote served terms as Elder and Deacon, as well as being a member of the Thursday Morning Bible Study. He was a charter member of the Bristol Cosmos group. A charter member of Kettlefoot Rod and Gun Club, he enjoyed precision target shooting and hand loading munitions. A long term member of the Doctors Motorcycling Association, Dr. Calcote enjoyed traveling throughout the country on his motorcycle. He was a music enthusiast, particularly enjoying Elvis Presley and old-time gospel music.
He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Vivian Smith Calcote, originally from Anderson, S.C.;a brother, Allen Linward Calcote ’55 of Kingsport, Tenn.;two daughters, Caroline Calcote and her husband, Chad Davis of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Janet Campbell and her husband, Bob Campbell of Lancaster, S.C.;four grandchildren, Cal and Mack Davis, Cody and Vivi Lee Campbell. He was the “favorite uncle” to many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 1 until 3 p.m. Monday, March 3, 2014, at First Presbyterian Church, Bristol, Tenn. The service will follow 3 p.m. with Dr. Gordon Turnbull and Dr. Richard Ray officiating. The committal and interment will be held at Glenwood Cemetery. Pallbearers are Bob Campbell, Chad Davis, Jimmy Flynn, Matthew Smith, Terry Smith, and Paul Wells. Honorary Pallbearers are Bill Graham, Dr. Joe Kurre, Joe Robinette, Harold Rutherford, H. D. Satterwhite, Dr. Bill Whisnant, Dr. Doug Williams, and Dr. Sarfraz Zaidi.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in honor of Dr. Calcote to the Capital Campaign, First Presbyterian Church, 701 Florida Avenue, Bristol, TN 37620 or to Van Wyck Presbyterian Church, 5140 Old Hickory Road, Van Wyck, SC 29720. Condolences and memories can be shared with the family and viewed by visiting www.Oakley-Cook.com.
Arrangements especially for Dr. Calcote and his family have been made through Oakley-Cook Funeral Home and Crematory.