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CHARLES McALLISTER Obituary
Charles Mason McAllister (Age 70)
Of Vienna, VA died peacefully on Thursday, August 27 at his home in Vienna following a two year struggle with pancreatic cancer.He retired after 34 years from the Washington Post where he was Chief of the Style copy desk and later Chief copy editor for the 16 Metro weeklies.He graduated from Georgia State University in Atlanta in 1967. He began his journalism career with the Atlanta Constitution in 1966 while a college student. In 1969 he joined the Detroit Free Press. He joined the Washington Post in 1970 and retired in 2004. He was an adjunct professor of newspaper design at George Washington University, he also taught journalism at American University. After retirement from the Post, he led the DC newsroom for Boston University. For the past 5½ years, he has been an editor with Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc.He is survived by his wife, Marcia S. McAllister; his children, Shelley Patricia Stevens of Atlanta, David Patrick Stevens and his wife Lisa Stevens of Montgomery, AL, Eliza Kirchner and her husband Bryan Kirchner of Annandale, VA; his granddaughters, Teagan Kirchner, Sara Mason Stevens, Ellie Stevens and Mikayla Holland; his brother, J. Dunham McAllister and his wife Margot Roberts of Jonesboro, GA and his nieces, Julia Stafford of Macon, GA and Blaine West of Charleston, SC.Mr. McAllister was a thirty year member of Trinity United Methodist Church where he was involved with youth activities and led the annual Christmas tree drive for more than a decade.The family will receive friends at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Ave., Vienna, VA on Sunday, August 30 from 1 to 3 p.m. Funeral services will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1205 Dolley Madison Blvd., McLean, VA 22101 on Monday, August 31 at 11 a.m. Interment private.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network or Trinity United Methodist Church.Online condolences and fond memories may be offered to the family at: www.moneyandking.com
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Memories and Condolences
for CHARLES McALLISTER
Carol Stevens Budd
August 23, 2019
Thinking of what a great man your Mason was, still sadly missed by those whose lives he touched. Safe in the arms of God, now, and keeping watch from above over those he loved on Earth.
Blessings, Marcia, Shelley, David, Eliza Dunham And Family
Marianne McAllister Smith
September 21, 2015
Mason was the sweetest cousin. I will miss sharing memories of our grandmother, our parents and Georgia with him.
Sherry Appel
September 14, 2015
Mason was my first editor at the Post and continued through Style and onto the Weeklies. He taught me "more than" rather than "over", "although" in most cases instead of "while" and was an avid "which" hunter. He was also incredibly kind to a young, inexperienced reporter, taught me much about copy editing that I use to this day, and was just an all-around great guy. The world is a sadder place without him but his legacy lives on. My sincere condolences to Marcia and his family.
Ryan Holeywell
September 8, 2015
Mason was my journalism instructor at GW in Fall 2006. I always thought he was one of the best journalism instructors in the program, and his real-world knowledge of newspapers was inspiring to me as a student. He got me so excited about journalism. I always appreciated that he treated his students with respect, like we were colleagues, and he was genuinely interested in our thoughts on the state of journalism. I wound up with a successful journalism career, and I can certainly say he played a role in making that happen. We should have more teachers like him.
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carol stevens budd
August 31, 2015
Marcia, God bless you and the whole family. I am so sad for you, he was a very special person and such a good father to all the children. Words can not express... He was such a goodun!! Granny and Grace must be so happy to see him again.
Linda Killian
August 30, 2015
Everyone who knew Mason was touched by his kindness, thoughtfulness and concern for others. He was a deeply good and very special man. He was beloved by his Boston University students and was a fantastic role model and mentor to them. Always patient, he was an incredibly important part of the Boston University Washington experience and I know the journalism students who were lucky enough to know him will never forget the influence he had on their lives and careers. He will be deeply missed by everyone.
My deepest sympathies to his entire family.
Emily Wade
August 30, 2015
Always there to greet you with a sweet smile, Mason was such a warm soul. The world lost a gem, and will be remembered for how he made others feel. Praying for Marcia and family. We will take of your love Charlie. Rest easy. ❤
Emily Beaver
August 29, 2015
Mason's kindness, integrity and intelligence made a difference in my life while I was one of his students at the Washington journalism program. My thoughts are with his family.
Ellen Sorokin
August 29, 2015
Marcia, I'm so very sorry for your loss.
Chanda Washington
August 29, 2015
Mason, you were truly a bright light and an amazing teacher/mentor. I often find myself reflecting on your leadership style whenever I'm faced with a challenging situation. Prayers for your family. May they find comfort in knowing your gentle spirit lives on in all of us. Rest in peace.
Missy Sutton
August 29, 2015
I shall remember my dear friend, Mason, always wearing a big smile and laughing and selflessly giving of himself to make others happy. He was one of the sweetest souls I've ever known and had a heart of gold. It may seem strange that a man 29 years my senior could be among my best friends but how could he not be? The man was awesome. Smart. Funny. Insightful. Young at heart. And a damn good Scrabble player. Thank you, Mason, for everything. We will love you always and you will be with us always.
Joseph Gareri
August 29, 2015
My sincere condolences to the McAllister family. I worked with Mason at the Boston University Washington Center. We shared a lot of good times there. He was such a warm, caring man who was perfect for helping mentor the program's young journalists. I'm saddened to know this kind man is no longer with us.
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