Myron Thomas 'Mac' McCormack passed away at 4:54 a.m. on January 7, 2011 at the age of 60. He was born February 26, 1950 to Elbert and Betty McCormack in Doctor Mary's home clinic in Phillipsburg, Kansas.

Myron, or 'Mac' to his friends and family, attended the Sumner one-room schoolhouse north of Agra through 7th grade. He graduated from Eastern Heights High School of Agra, Kansas in May, 1968.

His childhood was spent on the farm north of Agra where he helped the family feeding cattle and horses. This is where his love for cattle and horses began. His greatest joy was his horse, Silver, whom he broke to ride and taught tricks to. He also spent a lot of his free time getting into mischief with family and friends, including the Hasketts and various other neighbors.

The family moved into Agra in 1963. This is when his love of cars, trucks and engines began. In his teen years he could often be seen cruising around the community in a '57 Chevy. He also started working at the Quality Oil filling station in Phillipsburg about this time. When he graduated high school, he moved to Wichita with his buddies to work for a short time.

Myron married Janet Munyon on April 12, 1969. The couple had two sons, Joel Thomas and Judd Amos. Mac joined the Army in 1969 and went for Basic Training in Fort Leonardwood, MO and AIT in Fort Belvoir, VA. He was stationed in Darmstadt, Germany for two years during the Vietnam conflict before returning to the United States. Upon his return, he joined the Kansas National Guard and attended Goodland Vo-Tech, where he received a Farm Diesel Mechanics degree in 1973. Mac was discharged from military service in 1976 after fulfilling his service requirements.

After leaving the service, Myron took a job in the field of his Vo-Tech training with the Peterbilt Company and moved with his family to Joplin, MO to sell and work on tractor trailer trucks. In 1981 he and his family returned to Agra where he started his own business, Day/Night Sales and Service, a trenching, backhoe, plumbing and electrical company. He also purchased the Shamrock filling station in Agra and ran it for many years.

In 1987 Mac joined the Army Reserve until his retirement in February, 2010. In 1995 he sold his business and began working full-time for the 89th RRC/RSC based in Wichita, covering the areas of Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and Oklahoma.

In 2004 Mac achieved the rank of Sergeant Major before being deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 917th Combat Support Group from Belton, MO.

On December 16, 2010 he married his long-time companion, Roberta Quanz, in a private ceremony in the couple's home. They enjoyed time spent with their Red Angus crossbred herd carrying the backwards RM brand and working for BIH Plumbing & Heating, as well as Wangerin Construction.

Myron spent Christmas with his loved ones before succumbing to his long battle with cancer on January 7, 2011.

During his 35 years of military service, Sergeant Major McCormack traveled the world and was awarded the Legion of Merit, several Meritorious Service Medals and the Army Commendation Medal, among numerous other commendations.

Myron was preceded in death by his father, Elbert. He is survived by his wife, Roberta Quanz-McCormack of Agra; his sons, Joel & Carolyn McCormack of Iberia, MO and Judd & Janell McCormack of Manhattan, KS; his mother, Betty McCormack of Agra; sisters, Rhonda & Gene Simpson of Herrington, KS; Bonita Smith and Jacquelyn & Jim Wilson, all of Agra; and childhood brother in his heart, Richard 'Butch' & Cheryl Synoground of Athol, KS; his grandchildren, Kainen, Alyssa and Kyla McCormack; several nieces and nephews; and his faithful companions, Scout and Ruby.

Mac will be remembered for an assortment of reasons by many different people from many different nations and all walks of life.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 12, 2011 in the Huck Boyd Community Center in Phillipsburg, with Pastor Becky Saddler officiating. Burial with military honors by the Fort Riley Honor Guard will follow in the Kirwin Cemetery.

He will lie in state from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel where the family will receive friends from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday evening.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Services, Agra American Legion Post No. 357 or the Victory in the Valley,
Wichita.