Arthur McMurray Erwin

Arthur McMurray Erwin, Jr., “Mac,” died peacefully in his sleep on October 24, 2024. Mac was the son of the late Arthur McMurray Erwin and Wilma Maddox Erwin. He was also predeceased by his brother, John Kenneth Erwin, and, just recently, his love and partner Kitt Harley Papadea. Mac was known as “Mac Daddy” by his grandchildren: Evan Roughton, William Roughton, Zion Yates and Ryder Yates. He is also survived by his two daughters, Sarah Miles Erwin and Katie Erwin Yates (Joel); his sisters, Corky Erwin Harper and Molly McGee Anderson (Bubber Hutto). His niece and nephews adored him: Jake (Lydia Brandt), Nathan (Emory) and Alex (Martha Cloud) Erwin and Joe, Keith (Lauren Kelly), Carl (Ciara) and Emily (Nick Masoner) Anderson.

Mac was born in Rock Hill, SC, on July 8, 1952, the day that his dad was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives. After living seven years in the Washington, DC, area, the Erwin family moved to Spartanburg in 1960 where Mac was raised. Mac graduated from Spartanburg High School in 1970 and graduated “some years later” with a B.S. in Building Construction Engineering from The Georgia Institute of Technology. He also attended Clemson University during his collegiate years. Mac was an Eagle Scout and a devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church in Spartanburg where he had served on the Session.

Mac specialized in energy plant engineering. His career led him across the country, where he contributed to building and maintaining nuclear and other plants in St. Louis, New Orleans, Minneapolis, Houston, Wilmington, NC, Augusta and other locales. In the end, Mac moved back to South Carolina where he retired.

Beyond his career, Mac ventured into restaurant ownership and real estate sales/development. He enjoyed fishing and duck hunting and had recently purchased a Tesla cyber truck that he was very excited about. He was a quick-witted, kind and loyal man who intentionally noted and remembered details about everyone he met. In his last years, Mac excelled as a wedding officiant at family weddings.

Services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Spartanburg at 3:00 pm on Saturday, November 9. A reception will follow at The Spartanburg Country Club, 2500 Country Club Road.

In honor of Mac, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.