John Lamont McFadden

He was born on January 29, 1927 in Santa Ana, California, the only child of Anita Maydell Jernigan and John Lamont McFadden. He was baptized at the Church of the Messiah in Santa Ana. He was called Monty by family and friends in California and Mac by those who knew him in Texas.

He was a grandchild of Sam Jernigan, Sherriff of Orange County, and a grandchild of John McFadden, Mayor of Santa Ana. His family, The McFadden Brothers, came to Orange County from Scotland in the 1860’s and later built the McFadden Pier in 1888 in Newport Beach, California and a railroad to haul lumber and produce from the warf to Sant Ana. They were early pioneers and entrepreneurs in Southern California and charter members of the Santa Ana Country Club. Mac’s grandfather McFadden built a summer cabin in the San Bernardino Mountains at South Fork for the family, carrying timbers up the mountain by horse and wagon in 1913.

Mac grew up secure in a well-known family, kind to everyone and very gentle. His sense of humor was legendary. He was a boy scout and could say their law by heart at record speed: A scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. He lived his whole life by this law.

He rode his bicycle to public school every day and worked at Penney’s when he was in High School selling shoes. His manager was so impressed with Mac’s skills that he offered Mac a job after graduation. Mac also caddied for his mom Maydell McFadden who was the womens amateur golf champion in California. Mac entered Pomona College but was drafted into service in the U.S. Army in the fall of 1944. He served two years, stationed for one of those years at Camp Zama in Japan. Upon his return to Santa Ana he resumed his studies at Pomona College majoring in Spanish. After graduation he entered the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona graduating in 1950. Mac was immediately hired by Mene Grande Oil Company (Gulf Oil) to work in the San Tome Venezuela Land Department. After ten years in South America, he followed friends to Texas to become a partner in the Lazy Hills Guest Ranch in Ingram, Texas. There he met and fell in love with Beatrice Danes and her children Robert and Kathryn who came as guests. Mac and Bea were married and moved the family to San Antonio after a year in Ingram. Rosalind Phillips, a voice professor at Trinity University and dear friend, recommended Mac for a job as Director of Laurie Auditorium where he presided over numerous concerts, lectures and entertainment events given by world famous performers and dignitaries. He enjoyed his job at Laurie for 32 years.

After retirement in 2002, Mac and Bea traveled extensively all over the world and many times to New York City to see their children and grandchildren. He worked hard as the Program Committee Chair for the San Antonio Festival and for Arts San Antonio, subsequently serving as Program Chairman for the latter, sharing his knowledge and contacts in the entertainment world.

Mac was a great lover of music, language, movies, bridge, children, pets and opera - especially Wagner. He enjoyed many trips to the Metropolitan Opera where they had season tickets for many years and had the great pleasure attending three expeditions to the Wagner Ring in Bayreuth, Germany.

He was a member of the Argyle, The Yale Club of New York City and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in San Antonio, Texas.

He is survived by his wife Beatrice Finley McFadden, children Robert Danes (Robin Chamberlain) , Kathryn Kies (David), Grandchildren Azalea and Aurora Danes and Oliver Kies , Sister in Law Kathy Finley, Nieces Amanda Finley, Courtney Grinnell (Ben), Nephew Christopher Finley, Cousins Pam Worden, Jim Worden (Jackie), Ken Worden (Lori), Betsey Helie (Lee), Mary Lear, Jeff Lewis, Wendy Rockwell (Tad), Scott Helie, Rob Miller (Susie), Arthur Miller (Patty), Margaret Townsend, Sara Poumerol (Gilles), Laurie McWright (Glen), Jim Townsend (Jennie Breitmeyer), Jim Zimmerman (Becky), Mike Zimmerman, his dog Lucy, and many good friends.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2021

11:30 AM

ST. MARK’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

315 E. PECAN ST.

Gifts may be sent to:

The Round Top Music Festival, 248 Jaster Rd. Round Top Texas 78954

Animal Defense League 11300 Nacogdoches Rd San Antonio, Texas 78217

The Family is grateful to Dr. William Atlas, Mac’s physician, and to Maxine Dawson, Aurelia De Los Santos and Akazhia Newman for their loving care at home.