PLATTSBURGH — Horace R. McRae, 82, passed away Wednesday evening, Feb. 1, 2012, at his home in the arms of his daughter Shirley, with his wife Barbara and son David by his side.
Born on Sept. 29, 1929, to the Rev. and Mrs. Lewis E. and Hattie J. McRae. Horace was the ninth of their 10 children.
Horace married Barbara Jean Chestnutt on Nov. 20, 1948, with his father officiating the marriage ceremony. He is survived by Barbara, his wife of 63 years.
Enlisting into the U.S. Air Force in 1948 and serving active duty until April 1, 1973, "Mac" was proud of his service to duty and country. Upon retiring from active duty, he became a civil servant, managing the Plattsburgh Air Force Base Auto Hobby Shop. Mac's wife Barbara was director of child development at Plattsburgh Air Force Base as a civil servant, and both retired in 1995. It was at this time they rediscovered their roots of Florida and enjoyed being snowbirds for more than 15 years.
Mac enjoyed his assignments and meeting lifetime friends through his military service. In 1998, a 50th anniversary party was held in his and Barbara's honor, and more than 50 people from all over the country came to celebrate their love and friendship.
The game of golf was one of his passions. He never met a course he did not like. He hit the golf ball from rough, to fairway, to sand to hole! He loved it, and had a pretty decent game. Separate from golf, at age 60, he took on flying small airplanes and received his pilot's license. He enjoyed flying Barbara and his grandchildren around the Adirondacks and Vermont for a bird's eye view. Other great interests for Mac included family ancestry of Scotland, and he helped his sister Nell write a family book. Mac enjoyed language and learned to speak Spanish fluently. He was very interested in history and loved sharing stories, big and tall, about most subjects.
Mr. McRae had been a member of the Free and Accepted Mason's, having recently received his 50-year certificate of membership at the Bunker Hill Lodge 683 in Bunker Hill, Ind. Horace was also a Valley of Troy Shriner for many years.
Horace is survived by his wife Barbara Jean (Chestnutt) McRae; his eldest son Louis and his wife Theda of Spanaway, Wash.; his son David R. McRae of Plattsburgh; his daughter Barbara McRae Peacock and her husband Gary Peacock of Plattsburgh; and his daughter Shirley and her husband Bert Doolen of Peru, N.Y.
Horace is survived by two sisters, Jesse McRae Baldwin of Talahasse, Flo., and Anne McRae Jones of Ocala, Flo.
Horace is also survived by his six grandchildren, Galen Win McRae, Kaitlin Win McRae, Barbara "Niki" (McRae) Lobitos and her husband Leroy Lobitos, Bryan M. McRae, Megan Elizabeth Doolen and Sara Lee Doolen; one great-grandchild, Tiani Elizabeth Lobitos. Mac had the honor of meeting this beautiful great-grandbaby this past summer.
Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at the R. W. Walker Funeral Home, 69 Court St., Plattsburgh, with funeral services immediately to follow in the Robert W. Walker Memorial Chapel.
A Masonic Ritual wake service will be held at 2 p.m. at the funeral home.
Donations may be made to North Country Chapter 179 of the Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 7441, Plattsburgh, NY 12901, or the Valley of Troy Oriental Shrine, PO Box 269, Troy, NY 12182-0269.
Online condolences may be make at www.rwwalkerfh.com.
Arrangements are in the care of R. W. Walker Funeral Home, Plattsburgh.
