Mac and Nan McCloud enjoying a lighter moment during the HCJB Global alumni reunion in 2009.

(Aug. 21, 2013 - by Harold Goerzen) When Mac McCloud was a young man, flying a military plane above Europe near the end of World War II, somehow one of his two engines caught on fire. Desperate, he prayed the serviceman's prayer, "Lord, get me out of this one and I'll serve you for the rest of my life," and God answered his plea-the plane landed safely.

For years Mac had forgotten about that prayer-that is until he and his wife, Nan, became disenchanted with the rat race of daily life and the growing secularization of American society.

"I forgot about the promise I made to God, but He did not!" Mac recounted many times later in his life. Rededicating his life to the Lord, that decision would lead to a 36-year missionary career with HCJB Global followed by years of volunteer work before God took him home at age 89.

Dwite Merrill "Mac" McCloud died of natural causes at his home in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Sunday, June 30, his beloved wife of 67 years, Nancy Gage McCloud, nearby.

Mac was born to Loren and Harriet McCloud in Royal Center, Ind., on April 18, 1924. He was a happy, curious boy who loved to sing, play instruments, explore the countryside with his friends and help on the family farm.

His family later moved to West Lafayette, Ind., where he played in the school band and excelled in his classes. He was accepted into the engineering department at Purdue University and had been in college for 1½ years when he answered the call to serve his country in World War II. Mac was in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a first lieutenant on active duty for nearly two years from 1944 to 1946, flying Douglas DC3s and C47s in the European theater.

At 20 years of age, Mac was on leave (waiting to be transferred overseas) in the Lake Tahoe, Calif., area when he met his bride-to-be at a resort. He fell head over heels for her, having no idea she was only 16 years old. They continued their long-distance courtship by letter while Mac was in Europe, and when he returned to the U.S. two years later, he proposed to her.

After marrying on June 30, 1946, in San Francisco, they settled in West Lafayette where Mac finished college, earning a bachelor's degree in metallurgical engineering. After graduating from Purdue, the McClouds returned to California so Mac could start a job at Standard Oil where he worked for several years before he and a friend founded Magna Corp, a company that specialized in metallurgy and long-life batteries.

As a young boy, Mac had given his life to Christ. Now, despite years as a successful businessman and having a growing family, Mac and Nan felt that there was something missing in their lives. That's when Mac remembered his wartime promise to serve the Lord. He and Nan began attending Bible studies and doing counseling at Billy Graham crusades in California. Mac started taping sermons at their home church, Fullerton Evangelical Free Church, to send to foreign missionaries, and eventually he and Nan sensed God's call to serve in missions.

The normal process for foreign missionaries was to raise support, pack everything they owned, and begin language school. Mac and Nan, however, were just several months into that process when a telephone call arrived from HCJB Global's international headquarters in Florida, saying that an emergency had arisen on the field and they needed to get there immediately.

Carrying an ocelot in Ecuador.

Mac arranged to have their things shipped, and the family flew directly to Quito, Ecuador. Mac worked in the mission's accounting office in Quito, and before he and Nan had taken many Spanish lessons, they hosted a Spanish-language Bible study led by a veteran missionary. They also shared God's Word through English-language programs on Radio Station HCJB, and they often opened their home to visitors. Mac also sang in the station's Vozandes Choir and played baritone horn and tuba in the orchestra.

"David and I first met Mac when he and his family arrived in Quito," recalled retiree Kay Landers. "A gentle, intelligent, godly man who kept a close and careful eye on the finances of the mission. From Mac, never was heard a negative word, but always intelligent suggestions."

Chuck Howard agreed, describing Mac as a "very friendly, humorous and godly man who loved us teenagers, and we loved him in return. Years later it was a great privilege to work with Mac when I served in the Quito Business Office and later on the Board of Trustees. Mac was a very humble, loving servant and friend who always put the needs of others first and did all that he could to help, guide, encourage and empower others. He was a wonderful example and mentor."

When the business department moved to the U.S., the family left Ecuador and settled in southern Florida where Mac served as vice president of administration. During his time, Mac led the mission in the transition from paper to computers.

"I remember how he presented proposed budgets annually in creative and sometimes hilarious ways," recalled missionary Ed Giesbrecht. "Mac was also heavily involved in computerizing the financial books of the organization in a day when all of that was on the cutting edge. His curiosity allowed him to explore the new technology with enthusiasm."

Mac uses his laptop during a board meeting at the Ministry Service Center in Colorado Springs.

"Mac was my chief financial officer for the 20 years I was president," added Ron Cline, now an HCJB Global ambassador with his wife, Barb. "I grew to love the man. He was so much help when I was thrust into leadership. I appreciated his humor, integrity and love for the Lord. He was so positive all the time. He was a joy to work with. I wouldn't have made it without Mac!"

Dick and Pat Jacquin, who first met Mac at their missionary orientation in 1991, said they admired the McClouds as the "definition of being coupled in marriage. Mac worshiped his bride, and she loved and respected her husband as a model of a Christian woman. Mac and Nan will always be remembered by us as the servants and team that Pat and I strive to be," Dick said.

Mac and Nan made another transition in the early 1990s as HCJB Global's international headquarters moved to Colorado Springs. Officially retiring in 1999 after almost 36 years of service, Mac continued to volunteer, serving in finances until his health began to decline in the early 2000s, especially after suffering a heart attack eight years before his death.

In the early-morning hours of June 30, their 67th wedding anniversary, Nan sat at Mac's bedside and held his hand one final time. He opened his eyes and attempted to speak to his sweetheart; a few hours later he breathed his last.

Mac's interests outside of work included music, ham radio, computers, water sports (boating, fishing, swimming, skin and scuba diving, sailing) jogging and bicycling-all loves he passed on to his children. In addition to his wife, Nan, Mac is survived by three children, Anne Woodyard, Ross McCloud and Lorna Stiefvater, as well as four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

"Mac was an amazing, choice servant of the master," related retiree Tom Fulghum. "I had the joy of serving with him on the boards of both HCJB Global and Inspiracom (formerly World Radio Network). Mac had the ability to do a financial report on a terrible year and turn it into a praise gathering. I loved Max's personal faith and trust in His Lord. After being with Mac, my spirit always soared, elevated by his genuine love and practical, Christ-centered walk."

Mac McCloud 1924-2013

A memorial service is set for 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at Faith Evangelical Free Church in Colorado Springs. As an officer during World War II, Mac will also be honored with a 21-gun salute at a family-only memorial at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver where he will be interred on Friday, Aug. 23. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial gifts be sent to support the work and missionaries of HCJB Global.

Sources: HCJB Global, Ross McCloud, Lorna (McCloud) Stiefvater