Colonel Morris B. MacCauley, Jr.
USAF (Ret.)
Colonel Morris B. “Colonel Mac” MacCauley, Jr., USAF (Ret.), age 94, a resident of Colorado Springs since 1961, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, November 3, 2012. He had served his country for 33 years in the United States Air Force, was a loving husband, father and volunteered for many years at the Peterson Air Force Base Pharmacy.
Morris Baker MacCauley, Jr. was born on August 4, 1918 in Germantown, Pennsylvania to the late Morris and Alma (Horton Gardiner) MacCauley. He grew up in Summit and New Providence, New Jersey. During high school, he joined the National Guard. He was in the drafting division of Standard Oil Corporation. He was a graduate of Newark College where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering. He had an “A Brain” and continued his education in the Air Force and did his graduate work at UCCS.
It was in Niagara Falls where he met and later married Marjorie Hillas. They met while roller skating. “Colonel Mac” loved to skate and he and Marjorie won many prizes in dance contests. He married Marjorie on May 16, 1942 in Boonton, New Jersey. They had 51 years of marriage and had four sons. Marjorie passed away in 1993.
“Colonel Mac” served during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. He was stationed in Europe, Japan, Guam and Thailand. From 1968 – 1969 he was base commander at Nakhon Phanom Air Force Base in Thailand. He obtained the rank of Colonel in 1971.
Colonel MacCauley was an Aerospace Munitions Staff Officer who was a supervising Air Inspector of B29s, AT6 Trainers. He worked with atomic weapons in “Area 51.” He maintained B47s, B17s and B29s. He was also a nuclear safety officer for the 5th Air Force at depots all over the world. “Colonel Mac” participated in two joint Air Force/Navy Inspections.
He belonged to the Society of Daedalians and received many awards for his long time service as a volunteer at the Pharmacy at Peterson Field. He was also a member of The Retired Enlisted Association and the Peterson Field Officer’s Club. He had attended Roswell Community Church and Peterson Air Force Base Chapel. He loved model aircraft, “Woodie” and Chrysler cars.
He received the Air Force Achievement Award, the Army Achievement Award the Meritorious Service Medal and a Presidential Unit Citation Award.
He married Carol Melgoza on March 17, 2000 by the ocean at Newport, Oregon. Carol survives and lives in Colorado Springs.
He is survived by his wife: Carol and his son: Mark (wife, Roxann) MacCauley of Taylor, Texas. He is also survived by twin grandchildren, Daphne and Quade MacCauley. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, and three sons: David, Robert and Hugh, a brother, Hugh; and two sisters, Alma and Barbara.
A visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 pm on Wednesday at the Shrine of Remembrance Funeral Home. Funeral Services with Air Force honors are planned for 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at the Shrine of Remembrance “America the Beautiful” Chapel. A reception will then take place at 3:30 p.m. at TREA, 834 Emory Circle, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80915. Entombment will follow at the Shrine of Remembrance Chapel Mausoleum.
Memorials in his name may be made to the family.