Morris L. \ McGough

ASHEVILLE—Morris L. "Mac" McGough, known as the Father of Community Development in WNC, of Asheville passed away peacefully Saturday, January 15, 2011. Mac was born June 19, 1922, in Collinston, La. A graduate of Louisiana State University with BS and MS degrees in Agricultural Economics, he was a retired vice president of Western North Carolina Development Association. He was a US Navy officer, serving in World War II. Mr. McGough was a member of First Baptist Church, Asheville. He was a son of the late Willie Lee and Leilah Meeks McGough. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters. Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Elizabeth Ann Koepke McGough; daughters, Marty Jollay and husband Keith, and Maureen Williams, all of Asheville; son, Michael McGough and wife Michele of Canton, Ga.; grandchildren, Michael B. McGough and Marta McGough, both of Charlotte NC, Christopher B. Wilson and wife Courtney of Nazareth, Pa., Jeremy Wilson and wife Kim of Wadesboro, NC, Jessica Wilson of Asheville, and Shannon Bell-Logan of Nashville, Tenn.; and seven great grandchildren. Mac was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by the State of NC, and inducted into the WNC Agricultural Hall of Fame inaugural class. Other honors included the naming of the Morris L. McGough Freeway (I-26) and the Arena at the Mountain State Fairgrounds in his honor. Among his other accomplishments were the WNC Community Development Program, the Mountain State Fair, WNC Farmers Market, WNC Agricultural Center, the North Carolina Arboretum, and the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Station. He also served on many boards of directors including: Asheville Lions Club, Asheville-Buncombe Chapter American Red Cross, Daniel Boone Council Boy Scouts of America, Asheville Federal Savings and Loan, Keep NC Beautiful, Board of Advisors Warren Wilson College, Buncombe County Board of Education, and numerous others. He also served as chairman of the 1957 and 1961 bond issues that bought the land to create the UNC Asheville campus. The family would like to express thanks to the staff of the The Oaks at Sweeten Creek for the loving care of their father during his illness. Those desiring to make a memorial contribution are encouraged to consider The North Carolina Arboretum, 100 Frederick Law Olmstead Way, Asheville, NC 28806-9315, or the Morris L. McGough Endowment at WNC Communities, 594 Brevard Rd., Asheville, NC 28806.