James A. Mack

James Aubrey Mack, firstborn of the late Dorothy Antone Mack Humphrey and James P. Mack was born July 27, 1938, in Mobile, Alabama. On Friday January 30, 2026, he transitioned peacefully into eternal rest at home in Daphne, Alabama.

James served God and his family as a loyal husband, father, grandfather, son, nephew, cousin, friend and Deacon. He was a Christian and a faithful servant of Christ. His life epitomizes the spirit of resilience, personal drive, intelligence, fortitude and love.

He accepted The Lord Jesus Christ as his personal savior at an early age and was baptized at the Truevine Missionary Baptist Church, Mobile Alabama. He was a faithful member. Growing up, James, known as Aubrey, spent a significant amount of time with his maternal grandparents Eugene and Julia Antone at their home on Peach Street. He was their first grandchild. He also loved spending time with his paternal grandmother, Rosa Mack.

James was educated in the Mobile County Public Schools and excelled in school, especially in math and science. He was a natural leader and participated in many school clubs and activities. James received many academic honors and awards throughout his years of schooling and was inducted into the National Honor Society in High School. As a result of his exceptional intellect and dedication to his studies, James earned the position of Valedictorian of the Central High School Class of 1956.

Having been awarded a $500 scholarship to Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA, James studied at Morehouse for one academic year until he transferred to Alabama State University. At Alabama State, James majored in Pure Mathematics and graduated with the third highest grade point average in the graduating class. James was initiated into the Alpha Kappa Mu National Honor Society and the Beta Kappa Chi National Mathematics and Science Honor Society in college. He became a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and worked with the graduate chapter in Mobile for several years.

At Alabama State, James reconnected with the love of his life, Mary Lee Yates who had been a student at Central High School and was also studying at Alabama State University. After graduation, James began an eight-year teaching career in science and math at Booker T. Washington, Jr. High School in Mobile. James and Mary were engaged, purchased their first home on Summerville Street in Mobile, and married on June 8, 1962.

After several years of teaching, James was awarded a scholarship by the National Science Foundation. He continued his education at Atlanta University where he earned a Master of Science Degree in Mathematics.

In 1968, James accepted a job at Bell Laboratories/Western Electric in Whippany, NJ to be an instructor in the Safeguard Anti-Ballistic Missile Program, teaching software and hardware. He was able to use his knowledge and skills in mathematics to write the program manual for missile testing and bomb arming procedures utilizing software technology. He authored a top-secret program - The Human Factor - for testing long range and short-range missiles over the Pacific

Ocean. James subsequently joined AT&T, the parent company of Bell Laboratories, and worked as a computer systems analyst and marketing manager for 25 years until retirement. His job locations included Parsippany NJ, Basking Ridge NJ, and New York City. In 1983, James earned a second master's degree in Business Administration from Fairleigh Dickenson University, Florham Park/Madison, NJ.

James and Mary's union was blessed with 2 children, Myria Audrey and Titania Renita. James was a very present and devoted father. He was very involved in the girls' schooling, often attending parent teacher conferences and helping with homework daily. He partook in every activity the girls were involved in and attended every major function, often saving programs as mementos. He loved to share stories about his girls' activities and accomplishments with the people that he interacted with. One of his life goals was to pay for his children's college education. The children exceeded his expectations with Myria earning a medical degree and Titania earning a law degree followed by a PhD in Criminal Justice.

Understanding that family was his foundation, James remained strongly connected to his family in Mobile even while in New Jersey, spending extended family vacations during the summer and the Christmas holidays in Mobile every year. James enjoyed being with family, spending time at family reunions, Christmas parties, picnics or just sitting and talking. He cherished his position as the oldest of his siblings and served as a role model and a support system for his younger siblings. James and Mary's home was often the location for Christmas and New Year's family gatherings.

James and Mary welcomed their grandchildren Lawrence Maurice "Reese" and Mariah Jael. James was affectionately called GDad by his two grandchildren and was active in their lives, spending much time visiting their home in Florida, attending school functions, birthday parties and performances. Reese and Mariah looked forward to GDad's visits and especially the cruises that the whole family would take each summer. GDad loved his grandchildren very much as they were very close to his heart. Just the mention of their names brought a smile to his face.

James engaged in many church, community, and civic activities throughout his life. James was an avid bowler and was an active member of a local bowling league for several years. He was a life member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and active in both the Morristown, NJ and Daphne, AL chapters. In New Jersey, he was a member of the observance committee which planned the annual Martin Luther King Day Community Breakfast for over 20 years. James was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church in Morristown, NJ where he served as a faithful member of the Trustee Board for over 35 years.

In addition, James was inducted into the Society of Free and Accepted Masons of Alabama and was a member of Pine Grove Lodge No 639 in Daphne, AL. James was committed to the activities of the Central High School Class of 1956. He was responsible for organizing several of the class reunions since returning to Alabama in 2011. He attended several of the 5th Sunday gatherings with the class and loved participating in Central Weekend even riding the floats in the

parade. He held the title of class eulogist, often attending classmate's funerals to lend support and encouragement to the families.

In 2012, James and Mary joined the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Daphne, AL and became active members, attending Sunday School, Bible Study and Marriage Ministry events. James was ordained a Deacon at Macedonia in November 2013 and served faithfully in that role.

At home, James especially enjoyed working on his computer and in the yard maintaining his many fruit trees and tomato plants. He loved to travel, often spending long summer vacations with his wife and family cruising the Caribbean islands. He embarked upon over 20 cruises visiting many of the eastern and western Caribbean islands including Puerto Rico and Cuba. He also loved visiting Disney World in Orlando Florida with his grandchildren, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

In 2021, James was diagnosed with Cardiac Amyloidosis and had to undergo two years of chemotherapy and monoclonal antibody treatments at the Cleveland Clinic in Weston, FL. Throughout the treatments, James kept the faith and eventually made a full recovery. He "rang the bell" signalizing the end of his treatment in July 2023.

Throughout his life, James set standards with his actions and determination to succeed. He was an inspiration to so many and touched countless lives. He was magnanimous, wise, and humorous. His generous and loving presence will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

James leaves with us many pearls of wisdom regarding his legacy: Be disciplined in what you do and how you think. Be wise with your finances. Be practical in navigating obstacles that arise in your life journey.

James was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents, his 13 maternal aunts and uncles from the Antone family, his devoted aunt Cherokee Mack Ervin Dantzler, his brothers Julius Eric Humphrey, Bradford Leonard Mack, Darryl Kenneth Mack, Clemmie LeBaron Mack, Barry Mack, and Joseph Roland Humphrey, his nephew Thaddeus Sutton as well as some lifelong friends from Central High School Class of 1956, James Vance, and Benjamin Haywood.

James leaves to cherish his precious memories and celebrate his life his loving and devoted wife of 64 years, Mary Yates Mack, two loving daughters, Dr. Myria Audrey Mack Knox and Dr. Titania Mack Parker, two grandchildren, Lawrence "Reese" Parker, III and Mariah Jael Parker, two sons-in-law, Olin P. Knox and Lawrence M. Parker, II and his Godson Rev. Stephen Yates.

He also leaves his loving siblings Jean M. Chapman, Juanita M. Johnson, Beverly G. McCarroll, Esther H. June, Dorothy (Bishop Derrick) Johnson, Nathan Humphrey, Rev. Nathaniel (Denise) Humphrey, Winifred Bernard Mack, and Harris Mack.

He also leaves his nieces and nephews including Darnisha (Michael) Jones, Darlene (Rufus) Griffin, Dr. Valerie Sutton (Wesley) Moore Stinson Levell Glenn, Dominic A. June, Eden (Ashwin) Michael, Phillip (Christa) June, Clarissa Renae Humphrey, Julius Eric Humphrey, Jr.,

Matthew Humphrey, Darius (Yantasia) Johnson, Dr. Dara Johnson, Courtney Humphrey, Brittney Humphrey, Darrel Humphrey, Zachary Humphrey and Jason Humphrey.

James also leaves his siblings-in-law from the Yates Family including devoted sister Juanita Yates, Rev. Dr. Orlando B. (Margie) Yates, Rev. Dr. Ronald L. (Dr. Ruby) Yates, Rev. Dr. Jonathan L. (Doris) Yates, and Rev. Maynard G. (Lessie) Yates, Evang. Vonda Yates, his close friends Verlon Grafton, Joe English, lifelong friends from the Central High School Class of 1956, as well as a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

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