Obituary for Bruce McMahan
Robert Bruce McMahan, 72, passed away suddenly at home on Friday, October 16. He was a well-loved husband, father, grandfather and was proud of being a Black Mountain native.
He was born on November 6, 1947 to the late James Robert and Dorothy Morris McMahan. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Rebecca; sons Rob (Ven) of Scottsdale, AZ and Shayne of Black Mountain; grandchildren Aldon and Kiran; brother Eddie Morris and sister Kathy Hernandez.
He graduated from Owen High School where he served as class president and was part of the football team. He then attended Western Carolina University where he met his future wife, Rebecca. Bruce enlisted in the Army and served in Berlin, Germany where he also started his married life. He served 8 years in the Army and then took a break to work with his father as an electrical contractor. He found he missed the military, so he joined the North Carolina National Guard, later making it full time again as AGR (Active Guard-Reserve) where he retired after over 31 years of service to our country at the rank of Master Sergeant.
Bruce was known as a warm, kind, generous man who made friends easily and who served freely to help others. Bruce constantly had a smile and often a mischievous grin that many people described as a twinkle in his eyes. He also displayed consistent efforts to get others to laugh or smile with his sense of humor and even if the jokes were poor, the warmth behind them was always very evidently, real.
Throughout his life, Bruce was a member and leader of Black Mountain First Baptist Church. He served on numerous committees, was a deacon multiple times and was constantly involved in serving in areas focused upon helping the homeless and improving the food security of those in need. This service in the areas of food and feeding tied in with another of Bruce's passions . . . gardening. Each year, there would be hundreds of pounds of fresh, organic vegetables grown on a half-acre garden plot at his parent’s house. This love of gardening and growing things was passed down in-particular to Shayne and Aldon.
In recent years, Bruce became interested in Native American artifacts, collecting and selling and trading them. He had a wealth of knowledge on what he collected and enjoyed sharing it with others. Along the way he also became interested in antiques, anything old, and could be seen almost daily at Key City Antiques.
Bruce's family is devastated by his loss but is also comforted by a shared faith that this is not the end. Bruce will be missed by so many whose lives were touched and made better by his time on earth.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Thursday, October 22 at 11:00 AM in the back lot at Black Mountain First Baptist Church, 130 Montreat Road.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to First Baptist Church, PO Box 656, Black Mountain, NC 28711.
He was born on November 6, 1947 to the late James Robert and Dorothy Morris McMahan. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Rebecca; sons Rob (Ven) of Scottsdale, AZ and Shayne of Black Mountain; grandchildren Aldon and Kiran; brother Eddie Morris and sister Kathy Hernandez.
He graduated from Owen High School where he served as class president and was part of the football team. He then attended Western Carolina University where he met his future wife, Rebecca. Bruce enlisted in the Army and served in Berlin, Germany where he also started his married life. He served 8 years in the Army and then took a break to work with his father as an electrical contractor. He found he missed the military, so he joined the North Carolina National Guard, later making it full time again as AGR (Active Guard-Reserve) where he retired after over 31 years of service to our country at the rank of Master Sergeant.
Bruce was known as a warm, kind, generous man who made friends easily and who served freely to help others. Bruce constantly had a smile and often a mischievous grin that many people described as a twinkle in his eyes. He also displayed consistent efforts to get others to laugh or smile with his sense of humor and even if the jokes were poor, the warmth behind them was always very evidently, real.
Throughout his life, Bruce was a member and leader of Black Mountain First Baptist Church. He served on numerous committees, was a deacon multiple times and was constantly involved in serving in areas focused upon helping the homeless and improving the food security of those in need. This service in the areas of food and feeding tied in with another of Bruce's passions . . . gardening. Each year, there would be hundreds of pounds of fresh, organic vegetables grown on a half-acre garden plot at his parent’s house. This love of gardening and growing things was passed down in-particular to Shayne and Aldon.
In recent years, Bruce became interested in Native American artifacts, collecting and selling and trading them. He had a wealth of knowledge on what he collected and enjoyed sharing it with others. Along the way he also became interested in antiques, anything old, and could be seen almost daily at Key City Antiques.
Bruce's family is devastated by his loss but is also comforted by a shared faith that this is not the end. Bruce will be missed by so many whose lives were touched and made better by his time on earth.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Thursday, October 22 at 11:00 AM in the back lot at Black Mountain First Baptist Church, 130 Montreat Road.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to First Baptist Church, PO Box 656, Black Mountain, NC 28711.