Howard Leo McPherson

McPherson

February 13, 1926 – January 11, 2013

Mac was born to William Matthew McPherson and Flossie Edna Nutter of Parkersburg, WV.

He joined the Navy after Pearl Harbor and served aboard the Destroyer Escort William C. Miller as a signalman. He had his 18th birthday during the battle of Tarawa in the South Pacific. He served in seven major battle campaigns including Gilbert Islands, Marshall Island, Marianas and the battle for Iwo Jima.

After the war, he began work at the U.S. Naval Academy as a Machinist’s Assistant and served at the Academy for 29 years retiring as Foreman of Engineering and Weapons, Research and Development Department.

In 1949, he married Jacqueline Bierce McPherson. In 1972, they moved to Colorado and lived in Denver, Colorado Springs, Battlement Mesa and then settled in Palisade.

Mac is survived by his wife, Jacqueline J. McPherson of Palisade; daughter, Debra (Gary) Rhizor of Port Orchard, WA; son, Daniel (Patti) McPherson of Gambrills; five grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren, and sister, Ruth Fowler of Louisville, KY. He was preceded in death by his son, Dennis McPherson.

A visitation for Mac is scheduled today, Tuesday, January 15 from 2 - 4:00 p.m. at Martin Mortuary. Memorial services are planned for Wednesday, January 16th at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of the Nazarene in Palisade with burial to follow at the VA Memorial Cemetery at 1:00 p.m.