Mac Clinton Norwood

Mac Clinton Norwood, 93, died peacefully on April 13, 2014 at his son's home in San Antonio. Mac served as a pilot in the US Army Air Corp in World War II and had wide experience in drilling and oil production spanning 45 years in the oil fields of Texas, Ohio, and West Virginia. After retirement, he was active in the San Antonio Chapter of the Lost Chord Club.

Mac is survived by his wife Patricia McCarthy Norwood, to whom he was married for almost 67 years, and their four children: William Lee Norwood of San Antonio; Susan Norwood of Austin; Robyn Norwood Baham of San Antonio; and Sara Norwood Hurley of Richmond, California. His four grandchildren are Emily Patricia Norwood, Matthew Brian Norwood, Jessica Faye Baham, and Gabriel Thomas Hurley.

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Mac is remembered by his family for his inspiring qualities and a special way of being.

Mac Clinton Norwood was a free-thinking, enterprising, courageous dreamer. He was born in North Texas and came from a long line of Scots-Irish and English ancestors who helped found this country - frontier seekers, pioneers, and patriots. Mac passed that heritage and independent spirit on to his children.

Mac was generous and helpful, always reaching out without expectation of anything in return. He was also profoundly loyal - to family, friends, business partners, and merchants. He claimed to be an introvert, but formed deep bonds with those he loved and respected. He was steadfast, trustworthy, and faithful in his actions - always there when needed, giving whatever it took, without ever thinking of it as giving.

Mac was entrepreneurial and ethical. He was continually animated by new, bold ideas and committed to success on his own terms. To living an independent life, to earning his living honorably, to living and working with integrity.

Mac loved learning and respected knowledge. He consciously cultivated friendships with people from whom he could learn, and he loved a good conversation. He never stopped learning new skills, as when one of his daughters led him into the world of handmade textiles. With her encouragement, he bought a spinning wheel, took a class, and learned to spin and weave - a creative interest for a man of his generation. He gave his children that love of learning, a willingness to question, and the courage of our own convictions.

Mac surrounded himself with beauty and appreciated quality. That was expressed most clearly in his love of art and craftsmanship, with the carefully selected Navajo rugs and vases that graced his home. Yet Mac was not materialistic. He had a feel for good design, recognized quality materials, and took pleasure in surrounding himself with the best. He loved music, especially jazz, gospels, and classical guitar.

Mac was filled with what his wife Pat called "the spirit of play." He was often away on business in his children's early lives, but when he came home he threw himself into helping with them - not from a sense of responsibility, but simply because he loved to play.

Mac was a great storyteller with a keen wit and ready sense of humor. Even when it became difficult for him to speak, those close to him saw his playful spirit come out in his quick smile, the glint in his eyes, and his wink.

Mac was a fighter. In mid- and later life, he had physical challenges that constantly tested him. He survived five cancers and a heart attack. On each occasion, he brought himself back to a full level of activity through fierce rehab. He bore his suffering and physical difficulty with humor and dignity, and inspired others to meet their own challenges with dedication, patience, and hope.

Mac was a gentleman. Of the old school. He was charismatic, refined, intelligent, helpful, and loving. His gifts live on in his family and all whose lives were touched by him.