John McCauley

Wonderful man, musician and mentor

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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.