Malcolm Leonard McCune

He is survived by his daughter, Whitney Blessington of Arrington, Tennessee; his son, Marshall McCune of Nashville and Marshall’s mother, Karen Neal of Nasvhille; and his grandchildren, Matthew Blessington, Jackson Blessington, and Grace Blessington of Arrington, along with his namesake, Malcolm McCune of Nashville.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and William McCune; his brother, William Derryman McCune; his sister, Susan Marshall; and his maternal grandfather, Adam Kinskie.

Malcolm was gifted with a natural aptitude for mathematics. He earned his private pilot license before obtaining his driver’s license, reflecting both his intellect and adventurous spirit. He later graduated with a degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Tennessee.

He began his professional career as an engineer in Los Angeles, working on Northrop’s contract to develop supersonic transport aircraft. When the program was discontinued by Congress, Malcolm returned to Tennessee to chart a new path. In the fall of 1970, he enrolled in Vanderbilt University School of Law and was quickly successful. He graduated with the class of 1973 as an associate editor of the Vanderbilt Law Review and earned the Order of the Coif in recognition of his academic excellence. A lifelong learner, Malcolm later earned his Master of Business Administration from Belmont University while practicing law.

He enjoyed a distinguished career as a lawyer in Nashville with a particular affinity for products liability cases. A notable area of his work involved defective grain silos which sickened and killed herds of dairy cows. Malcolm handled these cases as far away as Minnesota and in the United States Supreme Court.

Malcolm was invited into membership of the American Board of Trial Advocates and the American College of Trial Lawyers, was vice president of the Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association, and member of the Defense Research Institute. He volunteered to coach high school students in moot court competitions.

He was mentored by the late Jack K. Maddin, with whom he worked until Mr. Maddin’s passing at Maddin, Miller and McCune, Blackburn and McCune and McCune, Zenner and Happell.

Malcolm was an accomplished sailor and avid reader. He especially enjoyed Patrick O’Brian’s twenty historical novels concerning adventures of the Royal Navy. He served on the board of the Nashville YMCA and the Nashville Retired Teachers Association. He was a lifelong Tennessee Vols fan.

The family will receive visitors on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Woodlawn Funeral Home, with a service to follow at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Nashville Humane Association, 213 Oceola Ave., Nashville, TN 37209, in honor of his loyal retrievers.

Pallbearers will be Marshall McCune, Matthew Blessington, Jackson Blessington, Larry Marshall, Lance Marshall, Gary Blackburn, Mathew Zenner and Doug Vandiver.

Malcolm will be remembered for his sharp mind, unwavering integrity, quiet strength, and the steady presence he brought to his clients and those who knew and loved him.