Virgil “Mac” McGilvery, 76, passed away at home on Tuesday, July 23, 2024. He had multiple health problems that he battled through after surviving sepsis four years ago which became in the last year. During the last few years he suffered with cardio-pulmonary disease, dementia, kidney and prostrate issues and too many more to mention.
Mac was born September 21, 1947 in Los Angeles, California to Winona Wagner and Johnny McGilvery, and was married in 1968 to Robin Reeves. Together they had two sons. After their sons were in school, when Mac retired from his job at Solar, they decided to move north to Washington State, however in 1981 they separated.
He had a difficult childhood and the day he turned 17, joined the Navy. He did “see the world” and spent much of his time on the aircraft carrier ”Ranger” during the Vietnam conflict. He, in later years, said that it was the best thing that ever happened to him. During his time in the Navy, he found purpose and got his GED and an associate degree in Metallurgy, then worked ten years testing and repairing generators that were used in the oil, airline and other industries that needed “big power.” This turned into his working in Egypt and in the Gulf, off the Louisiana coast, monitoring and keeping the generators on the oil platform running. His family moved north to Washington “vowing he would never go back to California.”
He left his job in the oil industry, as he was away from his boys too much. Always a sales master, he became a licensed real estate sales specialist where he met Jennifer. As the real estate world had many ups and downs, he started what would be his most successful sales position, selling “pole” buildings for the next 30+ years.
Mac was a member of the Fraternal Order of Masons; Scottish Rite; as well one of the Women’s branches (which operated under joint attendance with Masons: The Order of the Amaranth for over 25 years assisting with fundraising for their charities. In 2011, he rose in this organization to the position of Grand Royal Patron of the State of Washington. He was active with their charitable fundraising activities for Diabetes Research and also raising money for youth scholarships.
Mac is survived by his wife of 43 years, Jennifer, they were married June 6, 1981, (D-Day) so it all started with a lot of booms; sons, Daniel (Michelle) and Christopher (Tawnia) McGilvery; grandchildren, Ayden, Kaitlyn, Chad, Kiersten, Taylor, Dylan, Jordan and Camryn; wife Jennifer’s children, Greg (Jenifer) Lambert and Tami (Paul) Kurrle; grandchildren, Kayla, Allison and Sienna; brother, Bryon (Tina) McGilvery; sister, Kathy Rudder; nephews, Austen and David, and their wives and daughters; numerous cousins and their families.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, LaVerne Trimble and many of his close and cherished friends.
Memorial services will be held Sunday, August 4, 2024 at the Masonic Lodge building, 106 Warner Street, Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284 at 2:00 P.M. with refreshments to follow. Arrangements were made in conjunction with Lemley Chapel and their wonderful staff of Funeral Directors.
Per Mac’s wishes, the family has asked that in lieu of flowers, memorials be directed to your choice of Shriners Children’s Hospital of Portland or your local organization whose sole purpose is working with and supporting abused and abandoned children. As a nod to Mac’s style choice of always wearing Hawaiian shirts, the attendees are encouraged to wear Hawaiian attire.
Share your memories of Mac and sign the online guest register.
