Roland McRae Obituary

Col. Roland "Mac" McRae passed away July 4, 2009 at home surrounded by his family. Col. McRae was born August 23, 1919 in Maxton, NC. He graduated from the University of North Carolina with a B.A. in Journalism. Col. McRae then went on to Guilford College and then entered the United States Air Force in 1942. Col. McRae quickly distinguished himself as the pilot of a B17, the "Carolina Bommerang". Col. McRae flew 33 missions in Europe during World War II. Upon his return, Mac married Miriam Joyner of North Carolina. Mac and Miriam were happily married for 30 years until her death in 1979. Mac received two Distinguished Flying Crosses; the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Silver Star and the Legion of Merit. Col. McRae was later selected as an instructor for the USAF. After the war, he quickly rose through the ranks, serving at the Pentagon and at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska. After his tenure in Alaska, Col. McRae moved to Colorado Springs to serve as the Secretary to the Joint Chiefs of Staff at NORAD. After serving his country for a total of 30 years he retired as a full Colonel. Once retired from the military, Mac embarked on his second career, that of an entrepreneur, owning several successful businesses. Mac was an avid golfer and big game hunter. Col. McRae enjoyed a long and happy life filled with adventure, friends and a loving family. Col. McRae is survived by his daughter Deborah Sanders of Cimarron, NM; Roland "Chip" McRae, Jr. of Colorado Springs, CO; and Scott McRae of Parker, CO; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Services for Col. McRae will be held at the Air Force Academy Community Center Chapel at 2:00 p.m. on July 17, 2009. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org) or the American Veterans Association (www.amvetsnsf.org/donate.html). "Just lucky, I guess..."