Ft. Walton Beach, FL (Biloxi/Gulfport, MS)
Funeral Home
Emeral Coast Funeral Home
Visitation
NA
Obituary
Another great Airmen and Fallen Hero have been released from duty, passed from our ranks on June 4, 2020 and moved on to his heavenly home. CMSgt (Ret) Albert W. “Mac” McCleskey, age 89, a retired member of the MS Air National Guard who had served within the Gulfport CRTC and worked full-time at Keesler AFB has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord.
It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country giving up their family time, comfort and safety for their country ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country. A special message from General Douglas McArthur still remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.
Rest in Peace Airmen. We applaud your patriotism and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, this country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright and live so free. You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels. May God continue to look over you and your family. “Stand At Rest Airmen”
Obituary
Mr. A. W. “Mac” McCleskey, age 89, went to be with his heavenly Father on June 4, 2020. Mac was born and raised in Savannah, Ga. He was a true southern gentleman!
Mac graduated from Savannah High School. At the time, he was the youngest Eagle Scout in the area. He attended Georgia Tech University in Atlanta, GA.
Mac had a contagious sense of humor and always enjoyed a good joke! He was known for his Donald Duck imitation. He was an avid fisherman and outdoorsman and loved fishing for big-mouthed bass and enjoyed camping at Flint Creek Water Park at Wiggins, MS. He was famous for his fish frys and loved being around family and friends.
He was a United States Air Force veteran of the Korean War. He retired from Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, MS with the 2nd highest civilian rank, but his love was his job as Chief Master Sergeant in the Mississippi Air National Guard. Mac was a loving and devoted husband and father.
He was married for 35 years to the former Minnie Gay Reeves of Gulfport, Mississippi until she died in 1990. Four years later he remarried Norma Jean Thompson in 1994. (Deceased, 2018)
He is survived by his daughter, Carol Ann McCleskey Cooper (David) of Pike Road, Alabama and his son Barry Lamar McCleskey (Loretta) of Eight Mile, Alabama from his first marriage.
He is also survived by 4 grandchildren, Ryan Cooper, Katherine Cooper, Lauren Cooper and Marc McCleskey.
He is also survived by his older brother Lamar Duke McCleskey, age 99, of Clemson, South Carolina. He is also survived by his stepson, Tim Thompson, of Springfield, Missouri from his 2nd marriage.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday June 11, 2020 at 10 AM at Emerald Coast Funeral Home in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. The Reverend Hahn from Trinity United Methodist Church
will preside. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Albert W. “Mac” McCleskey, please visit our floral store.