Guy Mack Stancil (“Mack”), 79, formerly of Pickens, Cherokee, Hall and Lumpkin counties in Georgia, Charlottesville, Va. and Gulf Shores, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013 at his home in Smyrna, Ga.
Mack was a man of many talents — a student, a teacher, a golfer, a singer, an entertainer, a storyteller, a builder and “fixer” of homes, fine furniture and a putt-putt golf course, a chicken farmer, an artist, an astronomer, a florist, a master packer of car trunks (one of the many traits inherited by his daughter) and a lover of life.
Mack was born to Guy Stancil and Ruby McFarland Stancil in Tate, Georgia, where he fondly remembered attending first grade at Tate Elementary School.
He was quite an intelligent man who worked hard for his multiple college, university and administrative degrees, attending Reinhardt Academy and Reinhardt College, North Georgia College and the University of Georgia.
In 1965, Mack was awarded National Science Foundation scholarships related to the space program, and studied science and biology at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville.
During his career in education, Mr. Stancil was a biology teacher and golf coach at Cherokee High School in Canton, Ga.; biology teacher at Arlington High School in Arlington, Va.; teacher, basketball coach and principal at Clayton Community Elementary School in Cherokee County, Ga.; assistant principal at Gainesville Jr. High School, Gainesville, Ga.; principal at Lumpkin County Middle School in Dahlonega, Ga.; principal at Miller Park and Enota Elementary Schools in Gainesville, Ga.; and principal at Tippens Elementary, Canton, Ga., from where he retired in 1988.
Mr. Stancil made an impact on many young lives throughout his career in education, and he always wore his shirttail tucked in.
He was a sweet man, although some folks may not remember him as such if he was ever their principal or adversary on the golf course.
Oh, how Mack loved to sing (gospel and barbershop music) with his family and friends. He was part of and directed many barbershop quartets and choruses.
His children knew the words to many barbershop songs before they knew their ABCs. He was especially proud when his son joined him in the barbershop quartets and choruses.
Mack grew up playing golf with his father, uncles and cousins; throughout his life he was a member of various golf courses, winning multiple course championships, tournaments and awards.
He continued to play the game well, and became giddy when he was still able to “shoot his age” or better in his 70s.
Mack was a member of the Sharptop Masonic Lodge in Canton, Ga., where he was a Master Mason, as well as a Past Grand Master Mason.
Of his many awards, one of his most prized was being named an Outstanding Young Man of America in 1965.
In addition to singing and golf, Mack loved God, his family, friends and crossword puzzles, but most of all he loved Joyce Dobson Stancil, his childhood sweetheart and bride of just over 60 years.
After retirement, Mack and Joyce enjoyed life to the fullest, traveling and doing pretty much whatever they wanted to do. They traveled the continental U.S. in their motor home for several years until settling down in Gulf Shores in 1997.
Mack’s body has been cremated; a memorial/celebration of his spirit will take place at a later date when the family is ready, which may be a month from now or may be six months.
For those who would like to know, Mack was diagnosed with dementia several years ago, and the family was preparing for that eventuality. However, he was diagnosed with a rare and very aggressive form of cancer in early August, which spread extremely quickly.
In fact, he was still exercising on July 8, just two days before exhibiting any signs of being ill.
In addition to his beloved Joyce, Mack is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Mark Stancil and Linda Baker Stancil of Gainesville, Ga.; and his daughter and favorite son-in-law, Letha Stancil Bullard and Michael Bullard of Smyrna, Ga.; three grandsons, Jesse Stancil and Jamie Stancil of Gainesville, Ga. and Andrew Bullard of Marietta, Ga.; one granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Jennifer Bullard Hyden and Michael Hyden of Dallas, Ga.; and one great-grandson, Braydon Hyden. He is also survived by one sister, Gail Stancil Ayers, of Canton, Ga., and too many cousins, nieces and nephews to mention.
The family has received countless messages and cards from family and friends expressing sympathy and support, and truly appreciates them all.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Jackson Laboratory, 600 Main Street, Bar Harbor, Maine 04609, where research is performed regarding cancer and neurobiology.
Mack and Joyce enjoyed many trips to the Bar Harbor area, where they ate their collective weight in lobsters.
Arrangements by Carmichael Funeral Home, Smyrna, Ga.
