(from Margarette - printed in August 1995 East Texas Mensa SpectruM)
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service for John Macleod was held June 16 at the Macleod home by his friends and family. His Train Museum (that was enjoyed by young Mensans and the young at heart) was open for observation. John had been a Mensan for more than 10 years, and was active in Indianapolis Mensa and East Texas Mensa, hosting two meetings and attending the discussion group SIG.
John was born February 20, 1930 in Hastings, England near London to Hugh Graeme and Hilda Norris Macleod. He is survived by his wife, Margarette Cagle-Macleod of Big Sandy; five sons and daughters-in-law, one daughter and son-in-law and eight grandchildren. They are: Christoper and Diane Macloed, Neil and Mary Macloed, Robert and Anna Macloed all from Toronto, Canada; Tony Wilson, Shreveport; Mark Wilson, Houston and Louann and Peter Pfister, Orlando, Florida: one brother, Michael Macloed from Slough, England.
John received degrees from Loughborough College, England as a Mechanical Engineer and from Watford College, England in Industrial Administration. He was a registered Product Engineer and Draftsman working for various companies in England and Canada from 1946-1967. He was Chief Engineer for Rockwell in Montreal, Canada from 1967-1972; Manager of Plug Valve Development for Rockwell International in Pittsburgh from 1972-1978; Manager of Engineering with Ecolaire Valve Company in Allentown, Pennsylvania from 1978-1981.
He was Project Manager of new Products SII with McEvoy oil Co., Houston, from 1981-1983 as liaison to USA, Canada, and England. His work then relocated to Indianapolis, where he became Manager of Research, Development and Engineering for ITT Hoffman, Indianapolis from 1983-87.
He was Chairman of Pipeline Valves for CSA, Toronto 1968-1987; Chairman of Gas Valves from 1968-1980; Member of Advertising Committee on General Purpose Valves from 1969-1972. He was an inventor and patentee in the field.
In 1986 John became a citizen of the USA in an emotional ceremony. Becoming a citizen was important to John, who loved this country.
In 1988 they moved to Big Sandy. John became involved with a genuine interest in Big Sandy civic duties, serving as a City Counselor since 1989; was director of Technical Partnership Organization from 1990-1991, where he served on the board of directors.
He had taught a course at Tyler Jr. College, Continuing Education, for several years - "Oh, To Be In England!" He was scheduled to teach in the Community Seminar program at Jarvis Christian College this summer.
He had memberships in Order Engineers, Quebec; Greater Tyler Toastmasters; National Model Railroad Association where he served on the Engineering Committee since 1990; Texas Nature Conservancy, Speakers Bureau since 1991.
He was listed in Who's Who in the World, 1990; Men of Achievement, 1989; Who's Who in the South and Southwest, 1992 and Mensa since 1985.
His love of steam engines led him to create his own train Museum. John's deep interest for his hobby of miniature train collections led him to travel all over the USA to promote interest in trains. The Memorial Service was held in the yard outside the Macleod residence, with the Train Museum open for observation. The trains represented an approximate recreation of the Central Railway, north of London, in about 1938. The main station is Chiltern Central, routing coal trains from Newcastle to the London power plant, passenger trains going north and south, and connections to a nearby dock area.
We will miss him and treasure our memories of John and Margarette.