Leader in Business, Leader at Home, Leader in the Community; Example of Service

How do I do this? We, his family and friends, struggle with how to move forward after losing such a wonderful man. He died at home, February 16, 2012, in De Soto, Texas. We move forward and heal by looking to his lifetime of service; William Mack Christian, born October 21, 1942 in Birome, Texas, exemplified what it was to be a servant leader.

I asked myself the very same question, how do I do this? “Pop” deserves so much more, more to the point, the goodness and the faith that was illustrated in his life has to be quantified, it has to be explained. Mack was a man of action, more deeds and fewer words.

In his Professional life he was the example for so many as his beginnings were of small means and not privilege. For over 42 years with State Farm Mack was, according to several colleagues and friends that I spoke with, the example for other professionals to follow. John Lee former fellow agent and friend stated “there couldn’t be a finer man; he helped me tremendously.” David Fuller, a former Agency Field Executive, explained, “His legacy is how he took care of his clients.”

A reoccurring theme was that he would not complain about money, or himself, but that he complained on the part of the client. He always looked for ways to lower the costs of services to his clients. Mack did not simply use the leadership advice, take care of your people and they will take care of you, as cliché. He was known, on occasion, to pay a customer’s premium when money was short. Tom Thebau, another former fellow agent and Agency Field Executive, told me that when he was functioning in a training role for State Farm, that he would often use Mack as an example when talking with new agents. He specifically mentioned, “He built an extremely large business, that had him well-known within the community.” Another fellow agent, Tom Castleberry said of Mack, “He was the largest agent in his agency field office.” Yet another local agent and friend, Gary Rope stated that, “Some people work because they have to, he worked because he loved it.” Mack was a member of the Dallas Life Underwriters, a Select Agent within State Farm and received recognition for his measures of performance.

In loving his work, he loved and understood leadership. Mack understood the art of leadership in the way he guided his staff. He certainly loved sports and leadership lessons we draw from them. A former Milford High School Basketball Team Captain, Class of 1961, he valued the art, and sometimes pain, of developing subordinates. For him it was better to develop his staff than simply fire and forget. This persistence in leadership was also felt in the greater community.

A proud 1965 BBA graduate of North Texas, Mack was instrumental in the development of State Farm’s matching scholarships for the University of North Texas. He also believed strongly in affordable education for working adults such that he was featured in a donor profile in the spring 2009 “New Horizons” publication of the University of North Texas at Dallas. But that is what Mack did, he donated time and served. He was a member of the Kendall Society and a lifetime member of the University of North Texas President’s Council. This reoccurring theme of service and leadership by example not only bridged his professional life and community involvement, but also his personal life.

If there ever was one who lived out his faith as a Christian, it was Mack. He was a frequent donor of time and means to various charitable organizations and faith groups—The Methodist Children’s Home, the Austin Street Shelter, Habitat for Humanity—and certainly his church; the First United Methodist Church of DeSoto, Texas. He served as Chairman for the Church Council, Chair for the finance committee, as his pastor Reverend Kevin Strempke noted, Mack would sit quietly during a meeting and then, either in the form of a question or subtle remark, make a suggestion. Most often, Mack’s suggestion was followed. Pop was masterful at subtle leadership.

Where he certainly lived out “good works” he also understood the heart of his faith’s message. He loved people, his family, his children, his grandchildren, his community, his state, his country, his God. He loved, in the reoccurring theme of action and not just words. He did have those too… But he chose to be an example in service, in so many ways. He chose to live out his beliefs; he held no ill will towards those who thought differently than he. He considered others better than himself as St Paul in his letter to the early church at Philippi advises... He never shied from acknowledging his human nature. He did as Christ taught in the gospel of Matthew to do to the “least of these.” He blessed others with what he had been blessed with. He was not false; he was genuine in the truest sense; he was loved by many; he was an example of service.

Mack Christian is survived by his wife Linda Martin Christian; sons, Philip and Dan Christian; daughter, Shelley Christian Altman; son-in-law, Rob Altman II; sister, Juanita Spruce; brother, Ray Christian; and five grandchildren, Lauren, Andria, Will, Darian, and Abby. The family will receive guests at Jaynes Memorial Chapel in Duncanville, Texas on Monday, February 20, 2012 from 6-8pm. Funeral Services will be held at First United Methodist Church DeSoto, Texas on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 10am. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Mausoleum & Memorial Park in Dallas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in honor of Mack to the First United Methodist Church, DeSoto, TX, or charitable organization of your choice.