Clarence James "Jim" Mack

Lt. Col. Clarence James "Jim" Mack, US Army Reserve, 87, died May 15, 2014 at Grace Hospital after a short illness. Born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, the son of the late Thomas F. Mack and Evelyn Daugherty Mack, he had six brothers and sisters. He was educated in the city schools and graduated from Hill Business College. Colonel Mack was a longtime resident of Burke County, arriving here first as an executive with Southern Devices and later returning in retirement. He was an executive with Leviton/Southern Devices/Pacific Electricord for over thirty years.Colonel Mack was retired from the US Army Reserves and had served in Italy at the end of WWII with the 88th Infantry Division. Recalled during the Koren War as a member of the 118th Engineers (CBT) 43rd ID RIARNG, his unit was stationed in West Germany.Jim had varied and eclectic interests through the years including golf, informal shooting, hunting, bee keeping, camping, tending fruit trees, reading and painting. Though he did not always master his hobbies, he learned from every experience. He could be a taskmaster in business and at home, but he loved his family and wanted the best for his children. He often quoted Robert Browning, "That a man's reach should exceed his grasp".Colonel Mack is survived by his wife, Linda McQuaid Mack of Hildebran; daughter, Tracy L. Morris and husband, Charles of Morganton; son, William F. Mack and wife, Paulette of Conneautville, PA; four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Monday, May 19, 2014 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church with Rev. Kenneth Whittington officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:30 until 11:30 am before the service.Memorial contributions may be made to St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 728 West Union St., Morganton, NC 28655.Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family.