Obituary for Charles Edward "Mac" McWhorter
Charles Edward "Mac" McWhorter (93) passed away peacefully at his home in Monument on Monday, April 11, 2022 with his wife by his side. He was less than a week from his 94th birthday and a resident of Colorado for 46 years.
He was born on April 17th, 1928 in Springfield, Kentucky, the son of the late John Franklyn and Martha (McIntyre) McWhorter. He had 4 siblings and grew up in a loving home. After high school, Charles graduated from the University of Western Kentucky with a Master's Degree in Chemistry & Mathematics, and then joined the U.S. Air Force.
While stationed at Ramstein AF Base in Germany, he met his future wife, Jacqueline M. Liuzza, who was also assigned there. They had an amazing life together, traveling all over the world with the military and then later volunteering with the American Red Cross as Disaster Recovery Coordinators. Charles and Jackie spent many years aiding the victims of floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and fires across the U.S. They did so with compassionate hearts to help make a difference in other people's lives.
Charles spent 23 years in the Air Force and was stationed in various parts of Europe, Africa, Asia, Mississippi, California, Illinois, Alaska and Florida. He served in the Vietnam War in 1965-1966 as a Director of Electronics Engineering and Communications Officer, retiring with the rank of Lt. Col. in 1976. The family enjoyed living in different areas of the country and finally settled in Monument, Colorado after his retirement.
Charles and Jackie were active members of Vista Grande Baptist Church in Colorado Springs for 40+ years. He taught Sunday School, served as a Deacon, sang in the choir and participated in many church productions as an actor, speaker and singer. His beautiful voice still resonates in the hearts of those who were privileged enough to hear him. He was known for his quick wit and warm smile. He will especially be remembered for the many poems he wrote over the years as well. Dad was a master storyteller and some of the family's fondest memories are of younger days when he would read aloud to us as kids with everyone sitting around the kitchen table spending quality time together.
Lt. Col. McWhorter loved life and adored his children. He was so proud of us. He taught us to be kind to others and always put family first. He was our confidante, our protector and our Hero. But most of all, his wife Jackie was his best friend and lifelong Sweetheart. The love they shared was rare and cherished. Together they had 64 years of marriage and six children: Leslie (Bill) Braswell, Ralph (Eileen) McWhorter, Richard (Cathy) McWhorter, Ashley (Randy) Maxey, Brian McWhorter and Melinda (Fred) Smith. They also had 16 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
Charles was a wonderful husband, father and friend. He served his country with honor, his God with faith, and his family with love. But most of all, he was a Christian and is now resting peacefully in the arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ. We were blessed to call him our Dad.
Many thanks to all the Rehab Personnel and Hospice Nurses for their kindness and care in his final days. Services will be held on Wed., April 20th, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Vista Grande Baptist Church, with burial following at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in his memory to the Wounded Warriors Project.
He was born on April 17th, 1928 in Springfield, Kentucky, the son of the late John Franklyn and Martha (McIntyre) McWhorter. He had 4 siblings and grew up in a loving home. After high school, Charles graduated from the University of Western Kentucky with a Master's Degree in Chemistry & Mathematics, and then joined the U.S. Air Force.
While stationed at Ramstein AF Base in Germany, he met his future wife, Jacqueline M. Liuzza, who was also assigned there. They had an amazing life together, traveling all over the world with the military and then later volunteering with the American Red Cross as Disaster Recovery Coordinators. Charles and Jackie spent many years aiding the victims of floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and fires across the U.S. They did so with compassionate hearts to help make a difference in other people's lives.
Charles spent 23 years in the Air Force and was stationed in various parts of Europe, Africa, Asia, Mississippi, California, Illinois, Alaska and Florida. He served in the Vietnam War in 1965-1966 as a Director of Electronics Engineering and Communications Officer, retiring with the rank of Lt. Col. in 1976. The family enjoyed living in different areas of the country and finally settled in Monument, Colorado after his retirement.
Charles and Jackie were active members of Vista Grande Baptist Church in Colorado Springs for 40+ years. He taught Sunday School, served as a Deacon, sang in the choir and participated in many church productions as an actor, speaker and singer. His beautiful voice still resonates in the hearts of those who were privileged enough to hear him. He was known for his quick wit and warm smile. He will especially be remembered for the many poems he wrote over the years as well. Dad was a master storyteller and some of the family's fondest memories are of younger days when he would read aloud to us as kids with everyone sitting around the kitchen table spending quality time together.
Lt. Col. McWhorter loved life and adored his children. He was so proud of us. He taught us to be kind to others and always put family first. He was our confidante, our protector and our Hero. But most of all, his wife Jackie was his best friend and lifelong Sweetheart. The love they shared was rare and cherished. Together they had 64 years of marriage and six children: Leslie (Bill) Braswell, Ralph (Eileen) McWhorter, Richard (Cathy) McWhorter, Ashley (Randy) Maxey, Brian McWhorter and Melinda (Fred) Smith. They also had 16 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
Charles was a wonderful husband, father and friend. He served his country with honor, his God with faith, and his family with love. But most of all, he was a Christian and is now resting peacefully in the arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ. We were blessed to call him our Dad.
Many thanks to all the Rehab Personnel and Hospice Nurses for their kindness and care in his final days. Services will be held on Wed., April 20th, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Vista Grande Baptist Church, with burial following at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in his memory to the Wounded Warriors Project.