October 11, 2007
University of Georgia President Michael F. Adams issued the following statement on the death of Howard (Mac) McWhorter Jr. of Athens:
"Mac McWhorter was a loyal alumnus and staunch supporter of the University of Georgia, and a proud patriot who rendered great service to his country as an Air Force officer. As a pilot for the university’s Athletic Association for more than 30 years, Mac was responsible for the safety and well-being of numerous athletic coaches and many university officials traveling on university business. He was a skilled pilot and a personal friend, and the campus community will greatly miss him."
Athens Banner-Herald
Friday, October 12, 2007
Byline: Lee Shearer
Col. Howard "Mac" McWhorter, who for decades served as the pilot for University of Georgia coaches and administrators, has died. McWhorter, a decorated U.S. Air Force fighter pilot before a three-decade career as a commercial pilot, died Wednesday in a Gainesville hospital. He was 76 and had been fighting cancer and heart disease for a year.
A founder and later an inductee into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame, McWhorter served for years on the Athens Airport Authority.
He grew up in Athens, graduating from Athens High School and in 1954 from UGA.
He became UGA's de facto chief pilot after he returned to Athens following his 1980 retirement from his final Air Force post, as base commander at Warner Robins Air Force Base.
His 26-year Air Force career included a tour of duty in Vietnam, where he flew 250 combat sorties.
Soon after his retirement, he founded a company called Bulldog Pilots, Inc., and as its chief pilot ferried UGA's coaches and administrators untold thousands of air miles, until about a year ago.
McWhorter safely flew UGA presidents from Fred Davison to Michael Adams and football coaches from Vince Dooley to Mark Richt, as well as other UGA and UGA Athletic Association officials.
"Mac McWhorter was a loyal alumnus and staunch supporter of the University of Georgia, and a proud patriot who rendered great service to his country as an Air Force officer," Adams said in a prepared statement. "He was a skilled pilot and a personal friend, and the campus community will greatly miss him."
"He's probably been on more recruiting trips than anyone at the University of Georgia," said Ray Goff, who flew with McWhorter hundreds of times, first as a UGA assistant football coach, then head football coach.
"You felt really comfortable and really safe with Mac," said former UGA assistant football coach Mike Cavan.
"He literally had your life in his hands," Goff said.
McWhorter's demeanor, the way he handled himself, assured passengers of his skill as a pilot, Cavan said.
Goff remembered one trip McWhorter and Goff took to South Georgia, where they picked up recruits Haze Sadler in Albany and David Hargrett in Albany. As they got ready to leave for Athens, one of the plane's engines wouldn't start.
The young football players' eyes were like saucers after McWhorter got out, tapped the balky motor with a small hammer, and got the engine going, Goff said.
Georgia recruiting changed once coaches began flying with McWhorter, replacing many automobile trips with plane trips, Goff said.
"It opened up a lot of things," making it possible for coaches to take more trips and go longer distances, he said.
McWhorter is survived by his wife of 47 years, Iris "Lee" McWhorter, three children and seven grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at St. James United Methodist Church on Westlake Drive. The family will receive visitors between 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday at Bernstein Funeral Home, 3195 Atlanta Highway.
The Macon Telegraph
Saturday, October 13, 2007
ATHENS - Colonel Howard "Mac" Hart McWhorter, Jr., U.S. Air Force retired, passed away peacefully Wednesday, October 10, 2007, after a courageous battle with congestive heart failure and cancer. He was born on March 20, 1931, in Phoenix, Arizona to Howard Hart and Helen Everett McWhorter, Sr. and was raised in Athens, Georgia. He graduated from Athens High School and in 1954 from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science degree.
Col. McWhorter had a distinguished 26 year military career as a fighter pilot that included flying the F-86D, F-102, and F-106 (Delta Dart) aircraft. His accomplishments were numerous and included serving as flight commander and 405th Fighter Wing detachment commander to the 49th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Griffin Air Force Base, NY, and Base Commander to Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, GA from 1977 until his retirement in May of 1980. His awards include: The Outstanding Unit Citation with two Oak Leaf Clusters; The Presidential Unit Citation; The Air Force Commendation Medal; The Bronze Star; The Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters; The Air Medal with nine Oak Leaf Clusters; The Distinguished Flying Cross; and the Legion of Merit.
After retiring from the military, Mac founded Bulldog Pilots, Inc., a pilot service organization that supplies crew services for the University of Georgia. As a commercial pilot, Mac flew over 13,500 civilian hours which demonstrated his love of flying airplanes and his devotion to the University of Georgia. Col. McWhorter is one of the founders of the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame located at the Museum of Aviation at Robins Air Force Base. He served as the first Chairman of the Board and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998. Mac was presented the Aircraft Owners and Pilot's Association (AOPA) Presidential Citation in 1993 for outstanding general aviation advocacy and service to Georgia aviation.
Mac is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Iris "Lee" McWhorter, as well as children, Howard Hart McWhorter III and wife Melissa of Lindale, TX, and Ellen McWhorter Seib and husband Ron of Toccoa, GA, and Belinda McWhorter Casanova and husband Paul of Memphis, Tenn. Mac, who was affectionately known as "Grampy" to his family, is survived by seven grandchildren each of whom is blessed by his memory including: James Seib, Matt Seib, Andrea Seib, Burton Casanova, Rosalyn Casanova, Robert McWhorter, and Jonathan McWhorter.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, October 14th, at 2:30 PM at St. James United Methodist Church in Athens with the Rev. Dave Staton officiating. The family will receive friends on Saturday from 4-7 PM at Bernstein Funeral Home in Athens.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to either: The Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame, P.O. Box 8427, Warner Robins, GA 31095 or St. James UMC, 111 West Lake Drive, Athens, GA 30606.
Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com
GUESTBOOK Message from George C. Willick
"Belated condolences to the Colonel's family on behalf of all of the 482nd FIS who served with and knew Mac at Seymour Johnson AFB, NC.
"Howard was different...no doubt about it. Sort of aggressively intense and not given to shyness. And he really loved to fly. For myself, we served together for three years out of the OPs building, 1958-60. I'll not forget those days.
"Mac's last words to me were, 'Keep Mach up at Six.' Farewell, Sir, Godspeed."
