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Charles McAlister Obituary

Charles Wendell McAlister COLUMBIA - A funeral service to celebrate the life of Mr. Charles Wendell McAlister, fondly known as Coach Mac, of Columbia, S.C. will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 9, 2017 at Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church, the Rev. Cynthia Taylor will officiate. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel. Memorials may be made to Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church, 1005 Asbury Drive, Columbia 29209 or Hammond School, 854 Galway Ln, Columbia, SC 29209. Charles went to be with the Lord, March 5, 2017 at home surrounded by family, passing only after a celebration of his life by his extended basketball family earlier that evening. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and basketball coach. Born August 13, 1940, in Lake City, S.C. son of the late Jaseph Theodore McAlister and Annie Lee McAlister, brother to the late Van McAlister, married to Patricia Lynn McAlister, for 51 years. He was a graduate of Dreher High School and Wofford College. While at Wofford he became a Letterman and a member of the Kappa Alpha Order. A man who was the perfect model of a Christian centered life allowing the Holy Spirit to shine through him each day. Charles was an active member in the Columbia community, Forest Lake Country Club, charter member of Asbury Memorial UMC and the present Chairman of the Staff Parish Relations Committee, at Asbury Memorial UMC. He was also past Chair of Church Council and Lay Leader of the United Methodist Church. He served as a Corpsman in the US Navy, a member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry and a Jamil Temple Shriner. He served as President of the Greater Columbia Home Builders Association in 1972 and President of the Home Builders Association of South Carolina in 1976 then as the Assistant Director of the Residential Builders Commission. He was also the past Chairman of the state convention, past President of the National Association of the State Contracting Agencies and served on the Richland Planning Commission. Charles assisted in drafting the Builders Construction Standards, co-authored Home Builders Licensing, and was a South Carolina Sub-contractor, and conducted Home Inspection laws and State Building Standards. He was awarded Builder of the year in 1976 and was elected to the South Carolina Housing Hall of Fame 2001. Coach Mac touched the lives of many generations of basketball players at Hammond School and in the community for 24 years; accumulating 496 wins and 8 state championships including both a boys and girls championship of 1991. The South Carolina state legislature declared January 26th "Coach Mac Day". Charles is survived by his daughters, Lynn McAlister Sjostrom (Terry Sjostrom) of Marietta, GA., Lee Anne Nidiffer (David Nidiffer, Jr.) of Columbia; brothers, Jay McAlister (Beverly McAlister) of Columbia, Keith McAlister (Vickie McAlister) of Richburg; sister-in-law Addie McAlister of Columbia; grandchildren, Lauren Dasher (Wesley Dasher, III), David Nidiffer, III, Jake Nidiffer and Anne Nidiffer of Columbia; and many nieces and nephews. Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.

Published by The State on Mar. 7, 2017.
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Memories and Condolences
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Jan and I were sorry to hear about Charles' passing. I have great memories of him when he was at Dreher and Wofford.

David Jordan

March 8, 2017

Dear Coach:
A thank you letter to Coach Mac

Dear Coach,
Thank you for that one last huddle, the chance for your teams to come see you and be together and share our memories of our magical time together in our youth. In the most private and personal of moments, you again showed us what it means to be unselfish and a team player by letting us be with you. I was just one of the many people you touched and I

Scott Huebel

March 8, 2017

Coach Mac was great basketball coach and I was lucky to work many of his games while officiating basketball . A true gentleman and an outstanding human being . He will be missed and God Bless to the Family

Teddy Weeks

March 8, 2017

Our prayers are with during this difficult time. Charles was a good and faithful servant! He will be greatly missed by all he knew him. Otho has fond memories of growing up with the McAlister boys....and delivering newspapers together. Joanne & Otho S. Pool, Jr.

March 8, 2017

Sending prayers for healing and peace. So very sorry for your loss! Please know how much I loved chatting on the phone during lunch time with your daddy! May he rest in peace holding hands with your mom Lynn. Love you! Michelle Nikitaides

March 8, 2017

Thinking you and your family,

Cherie Monts-Ulmer

March 8, 2017

Praying for God's comfort in your grief. Charlie was a good friend, a faithful member at Asbury, and I have so many fond memories of building the sanctuary, the beginning of his coaching career at Woodland Park, and his faithful care of Pat during her illness. I am grateful he was a part of my life.

Regi Thackston

March 8, 2017

Coach Mac was a wonderful man and terrific coach. It was my privilege to have two children to play for him. He set such a great example for how to live your life. I am thankful for the many good things he did for his teams, his family, friends, church, our city and the world. He will be greatly missed but always remembered. Deep sympathy and much love to his family.

MaryAnn Crews

March 7, 2017

Dear Nidiffer Family,
Very sorry to hear of the loss of such a great man. Know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Bess, Abigail, and Victoria Thomas

March 7, 2017

Coach Mac was one of the single greatest men I have known in my lifetime. What an honor it has been to know and love him. The things he taught me are too many to list but he impacted my life in so many positive ways. I will always miss his giant bear hugs and his laughter. His smile had a glow to it and was contagious even during difficult times. The way that he was able to lift someone's spirit and encourage them was a true art form. I learned so much from Coach and feel truly blessed that his family was willing to share him with all of us throughout the years. Lynn, Lee Anne, Lauren and all of the McAlisters are in my thoughts and prayers. I just know that Coach is up in heaven with Ms. Mac smiling down on all of us. He was truly one of the great ones! God bless!

Edie Hines

March 7, 2017

So sorry to hear of Keith's brother's passing. May the LORD bless the family with peace....

Scott Mercer

March 7, 2017

What a giant of a man. He is a legend at Hammond School, and deservedly so. Prayers for you all.

Juliana Edmunds King

March 7, 2017

Angie Whitaker

March 7, 2017

Coach Mac was a big part of many lives and many good works, he will be missed, but not forgotten. Condolences to all his family on this loss. Dale Boozer

Dale Boozer

March 7, 2017

Charles McAlister, A MAN'S MAN of Asbury Memorial UMC God Bless.

Preston Charles Palmer

March 7, 2017

Charlie was one of the finest men i knew.He did so much for so many and was always willing to help anyone . His smile and laughter would brighten any room . One of the funnest days I ever had was playing golf with Charlie,Van and Porter Kinard at the state Homebuilders convention in Ashville

Chuck Grimsley

March 7, 2017

I am so sorry to read of Coach Mac's passing. "His corner" of the Hammond gym will always serve as a warm reminder of his impact in so many. I was always impressed by his faithful support of both his wife and grandchildren. What a wonderful legacy!

Kathy Dunne

March 7, 2017

Charles...Coach Mac....was a gentleman with a big heart and a big smile. He was the epitome of a Coach and a natural on the sidelines and in the huddle. First and foremost, he was a Christian family man who loved his family and they loved him back. I will think of all of the McAlister family in the days ahead as you mourn the loss of your loved one. The community mourns with you as we have all lost a man who made the world a better place.

jan middlebrooks

March 6, 2017

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