John McCauley Obituary

John "Rook" Willis McCauley

Oxford

John "Rook" Willis McCauley, 79, died Thursday, April 30, 2015, at his home is Oxford, MS. The funeral service will be held Saturday, May 2, 2015, at 10:00 A.M. at Oxford-University United Methodist Church in Oxford, MS with Rev. Eddie Rester and Rev. Warren Black officiating. Burial will follow in Oxford Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday evening, May 1, 2015 from 4:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. at Waller Funeral Home and Saturday morning from 9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. prior to the service at the church.

Born in Philadelphia, MS, to the late, George Joshua and Margaret Hallye Parkes McCauley, Mr. McCauley had retired after 30 years as Associate Professor of Music Education at the University of Mississippi and 25 years as director of the Jazz Program. He served as a Master Sergeant in the National Guard. He has been a member of Oxford-University United Methodist Church since 1971. He was admitted into the Ole Miss Jazz Hall of Fame in 1986 and was listed in Who's Who in American High School Band Directors. He composed the Philadelphia, MS High School Alma Mater in 1952. Mr. McCauley received many jazz awards including Second Place at the Mobile Jazz Festival in 1998, winner of the Shreveport Jazz Fest in 1995 and received Outstanding Jazz Soloist at the 1968 Mobile Jazz Fest. He was a jazz soloist, judge and conductor throughout the Southeastern United States. He played first trumpet part in the Mississippi All-Star Band in 1953 and 1954 and was a marching band director in the All State Band in 1966. As a high school band director he produced all superior bands in seven of the nine years he taught in Crystal Springs and Kosciusko, MS. He supervised and taught music education students and student teachers from 1977 - 2000. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley Ann Godbold McCauley.

Mr. McCauley is survived by his daughter, Mary M. "Margie" Knight of Port Chester, NY and his son, John Michael "Mike" McCauley of Oxford, MS.

Memorial contributions in Mr. McCauley's memory may be made to Oxford-University United Methodist Church General Fund or Building Fund, 424 South 10th Street, Oxford, MS 38655.

For additional information or to sign an online guestbook, visit our website www.wallerfuneralhome.com or call 662-234-7971.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Clarion Ledger on May 1, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for John McCauley

8 Entries

Willard Barnes

August 9, 2025

Wonderful man, musician and mentor

Rich Torkington

May 20, 2015

Dr. McCauley was and is a jazz great in every sense. Anyone who truly heard Doc play knows this. He is in the souls of Ole Miss musicians - and anyone lucky enough to have played with him or for him.

Becca Garner Howell

May 12, 2015

My heart goes out to John's family. My mother (i.e. Rusty Owen Garner) and John were/are cousins. John and his family were very sweet to me when I was attending Ole Miss. I hate that time and distance kept our relationship from being stronger than it was. John's love and knowledge of music will be sorely missed. John's family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Cecil Moore

May 3, 2015

My heart and prayers are with the McCauley family for the loss of Dr. "Mac". He was a great man.

Buddy Irving

May 1, 2015

Mr.McCauley started me out on trombone in 1966 when I was in the 5th grade in Kosciusko when he was high school band director. After transferring to Ole Miss after Jr.College, I played under him in Ole Miss Jazz band my Jr. And Sr. year. The man was wild. He was still so much fun to be his student, so many crazy memories.And he was always so loyal to his church.Mr. McCauley always gave back to Christ his musical talents.

The Mississippians approx. 1985

Amy Thomason Patrick

May 1, 2015

Cass and I will always have fond memories of Dr. McCauley. It was mainly through Dr. McCauley's influence as a jazz band director (as well as a few other jazz musicians who also taught in the Ole Miss music department) that Cass became a jazz musician/instructor. Cass and I are both in this picture (at the very top). Prayers for his family!

Tom Waggoner

April 30, 2015

The family of John McCauley has my sincerest and deepest sympathy for his passing. He was a special colleague and dear friend during my years as Director of Bands at the University of Mississippi. John's family is in my thoughts and prayers.

Clay East

April 30, 2015

Dr. McCauley was an amazing musician and such an interesting human being. I will always cherish the opportunity I had playing in the Mississippians and having the experience of him being my teacher. His impact on me has been more profound than I could of ever imagined as his student. He was the real deal.

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