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McIlrath, Wallace 1939-2018

MCILRATH, FORCE, LIGHT

Posted By: Marilyn Norris Holmes
Date: 6/20/2018 at 14:59:38

Houston (TX) Chronicle

WALLACE MCILRATH

Wallace "Mac' McIlrath, 78, died in his living room (Cypress, TX) watching tv on June 12, 2018. He was born in Hartwick, Iowa, graduating from Brooklyn High School before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. As the baby of four children, Wally often exhibited his freewheeling spirit by running unaccompanied through the streets of small town Brooklyn, Iowa. Family lore has it wally "may have been" a participant in an incident involving a couple of buddies and a displaced outhouse. Wally was Brooklyn High's Star Athlete. He lettered in every team sport except Track, despite winning enough races as a last minute add one spring.

Wally grew up with and married his high school sweetheart, Jane Light. They were married 52 years, separated only by his yearlong tour of duty in Thailand and by her death four years ago. Upon entry into military service, Wally evolved to "Mac" as Jane always called him. Mac served his country as a medical lab technologist for 20 years. His assignments included 3 years in south Italy with Jane, with stops in Arkansas and Oklahoma. In 1977, Mac retired from active duty as a Sr. MSGT in Houston, Texas. A family highlight of Mac's Air Force career was a six week stay with another military family in Anchorage, Alaska.

At 37 years old, Mac embarked on achieving his dream of earning a college degree. For four years, graduating on time, Mac continued working full time as a med tech, student, husband and devoted dad to two teenage daughters. Business degree in hand, Mac launched a new career in Information Technology systems programming at Houston Lighting and Power serving 18 years in various roles. During his time with HL&P, Mac forged new relationships and participated in the company's annual barbecue cook-off. Coworkers from IT Solutions formed their own team, competing at various cook-offs for several years. The Rib and Brisket aficionados grabbed the ultimate brass ring one year: They smoked their way to the Houston Live Stock Show and Rodeo Cook-off as HLP's team. They won the Chicken category.

As sports enthusiast and youth advocate, Mac encouraged his daughters' varying interests. Mac never missed a softball season as Page's coach and enhanced, drove and lovingly brow beat her into ultimately winning the national Junior Women's Bowling Championship. Mac was Jennifer's high (school?) Girl Scout troop leader and her whitewater canoeing partner. Later, Mac supported grandson Geoffrey's golf talent by helping him perfect his golf swing and taking him to the Shell Houston Open golf tournaments on the days teen golfers could get tips from the pros.

A pretty good golfer himself, Mac earned bragging right with a hole in one. His friends from the Cactus Club group anointed him "Ace." Even this spring, Mac planned to volunteer at the Houston Open, as he had many times before, but personal health matters prevented him from participating one last time. In celebration of Houston' first National Championship title ever, Mac escorted Jennifer to The Rockets NBA parade through downtown Houston in 1994. Overjoyed can't describe Mac's elation as his Houston Astros became Texas' only MLB team to win the World Series.

Mac's computer savvy tech skills were always at the forefront; Mac loved puzzles. He could knock out the daily Sudoku in a few short minutes. One game he played with Jane, much to her chagrin, was his habit of cutting crosswords out of the paper, only to save one for later. Jane thought he'd be finished with the crossword for a given day, only to find Mac whip out another one from a clipboard where he maintained his secret stash.

Mac wound down his post career life as a school bus driver and a youth mentor. Mac loved treating his bus kids to small treasures at Christmas and summer breaks. Pre-Ks held a special place in his heart and he took extra special care in making sure they got on and off the bus safely and returned to their parents.

Mac's never give up mentality could easily have scored him a date with the famous Julia Roberts. Mac was quite fond of indulging in his Julia's many acclaimed films. Another celebrity fascination was with Mac's best write buddy, Tom Clancy.

Mac read every Tom Clancy novel ever published, with Jack Ryan being on of his favorite fictional characters. Mac also loved John Grisham's novels. Though he enjoyed the lawyer stories, he particularly enjoyed Calico Joe, the tale of a star baseball pitcher who lost his career through no fault of his own. As avid readers, both Mac and Jane were certainly frequent flyers of the many libraries around Houston and Harris County. Mac always loved a raunchy joke and he embraced his life with humor and laughter.

Women played a big role in Mac's storied life. He befriended women from all walks of life in their careers and interest: nurses, teachers, principals, programmers, HOA board members, even Weight Watcher girlfriends who helped him drop more than 75 pounds. Mac was a lady's man. In addition to his daughters and grandson, Mac leaves to treasure his memory siblings Velma, Violet and Max, and a host of adoring friends and relatives.

We say goodbye to Mac at Klein Funeral Home in Wortham this Saturday, June 16 from 5-8 p.m. We will celebrate Mac's well lived life on Saturday, June 23 beginning at 11 a.m. Rolling Fork Club, 9110 Rodney Ray Blvd., Houston 77040.

Transcriber Note: His parents were Nathaniel Claire and Anna Blanche (Force) McIlrath.


 

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