Judge David "Mack" Fairley McInnis

Judge David Fairley (Mack) McInnis died on July 22, 2025 at his home in Sumter, South Carolina. Judge McInnis was born on August 5, 1934 in Timmonsville, South Carolina, the son of the late David Fairley and Louise Dubose McInnis. He was preceded in death by his sweet wife Barbara Bruce McInnis.
At five years old, he moved with his mother to her homestead in DuBose Siding, Sumter County, where he was attended to by his mother, grandparents, and 10 aunts and uncles. There he sharpened his wit, learned to spin tall tales, and expanded his vocabulary. While attending public school in Sumter, he met his wife to be, Barbara, along with many colorful characters he called friends. After graduating from Edmunds High School in 1953, he attended the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill on a diving scholarship. While there, he was a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Air Force ROTC. member of the UNC diving team winning the ACC Championship for one and three meter board in 1956 and 1957. He was awarded Most Valuable Diver in the ACC and named to the NCAA All American team his Junior and Senior year. Each year the David McInnis Diving award is presented to the top male and female diver on the UNC team.
After graduation in 1957 he spent a short spell serving in the Air Force and Air National Guard Reserve achieving the rank of Captain. After service, he married his childhood sweetheart and had two of his three children while working for the SC Chamber of Commerce. Mack and Barbara desperately wanted to find their way back to family and friends, so he entered the University of South Carolina Law school in 1962, believing that was his best path to get back home. While attending classes he supported his family as the USC men's diving team assistant coach. He also managed the Maxcy Gregg pool, where he coached many of Columbia's youth in swimming and diving. Mack graduated law school in 1965, took a job with Clifton Brown's Law Firm, and moved his family back home. Along with practicing law, he served as Sumter City Recorder from 1966-1970.
He served SC District 69 in the House of Representatives from 1975-1982. After State Legislature he acted as County Prosecutor until being elected Judge of the 3rd Judicial Circuit, replacing a mentor of his, Judge Ernest Finney. As Circuit Court Judge, he was recognized as treating everybody with courtesy and respect. He served as Judge until retirement in 1995. At the time, Senator John Land wrote "His impeccable service and keen decision making skills earned him a tremendous amount of respect and admiration throughout the state".
Mack had been a NASCAR fan since its inception and jumped at the chance after retirement, to take a part-time gig for International Speedway Corp, who owned many of the NASCAR tracks, including Darlington and Daytona. His responsibilities included acting as a quasi, track ambassador in Darlington, entertaining and educating track guests during race week. A job he was well equipped to fulfill.
He and his wife Barbara grew up frequenting Ocean Drive Beach and Pawleys Island. After retirement they spent as much time as possible reading on the beach, visiting shag clubs and hanging out with old beach cats. Capable dancers, both Mack and Barbara were inductees in the Shaggers Hall of Fame. Mack also spent many hours following his other passion, duck hunting. Whether it was in Sparkleberry swamp, Sumter Wateree Club, or Canada and Arkansas.
Judge McInnis is a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church, serving as congregant, teacher, and officer. A member all his adult life of the YMCA and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, he understands, he would never have achieved the successes he did if it weren't for the mentoring programs that these organizations offered during his youth. In 1984 he was inducted into the Sumter Athletic Hall of Fame. He was honored to receive The Order of The Palmetto awarded by Governor Jim Hodges in 2000.
He is survived by his sister Flora McInnis Hobson (Rick); his three children, Shawn McInnis Perkins (Stephen), David McInnis Jr (Catherine), and Lee McInnis; six grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and one great, great grandchild.
A memorial service will be held at 2 P.M. Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at the First Presbyterian Church, 9 West Calhoun St, Sumter, SC.
The family will receive friends following the memorial service at First Presbyterian Church.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Mt. Vernon Coffee Club.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to his caregivers, Breanna Wright and the group at At Your Service Home Care.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sumter YMCA (510 Miller Rd, Sumter, SC 29150) and First Presbyterian Church (9 West Calhoun St, Sumter, SC 29150).
Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St, Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements 803-775-9386.