Walter Merwin McMahen

Walter Merwin McMahen, age 98, passed from this life on December 27, 2023, after a brief illness. He was born November 21, 1925, in Magnolia, Arkansas to Ona May and Walter Bran McMahen. After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, at the age of 16, he knew exactly where he wanted to be. As soon as he turned 18, he joined the Army, and was assigned to the 7th Cavalry Mechanized Division. He used to tell us that the recruiters told him he could either be a cook or drive vehicles. He was quick to say he wasn't fond of cooking.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 50 years, Mildred Elizabeth McMahen, and stepson, Mike Newman. He was survived by his daughter, Tammie Linden of Austin, Texas; stepson, Albert Newman of Shreveport; and stepdaughter, Debbie Newman of Carthage, Texas. While not only have we lost a father, stepfather, grandfather, and uncle, it's also sad to know that we've lost one more patriarch from the greatest generation.
Some of you may remember Merwin, also known as Mr. Mac, as a local pharmacist. He had his own establishment, Meadowview Pharmacy in Bossier, before he worked at White's Pharmacy near Willis Knighton North until he retired. After retirement, he donated his time and energy to the Northwest Louisiana Interfaith Pharmacy for years.
Merwin loved working in his yard; golfing; fishing, and singing in the choir at First Baptist Church, he also enjoyed singing with a barbershop quartet at times. And the man absolutely loved fried catfish! But his favorite thing in life was certainly his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was patient, kind, and generous to all of us, and will be missed dearly.
Honorary pallbearers are Albert Newman; Michael Newman; Jeff Newman; Esthman Newman; Ace Newman; Asher Newman; Cole Newton; Jacob Newton; and Benjamin Newton.
A visitation will be from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m., Monday, January 1, 2024, at Osborn Funeral Home, Shreveport, LA. A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at Magnolia Memorial Park Cemetery in Magnolia, Arkansas. Officiating the service will be Associate Pastor Ronney Joe Webb.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Carpenter House of St. Joseph Hospice, Shreveport, LA. https://www.thecarpenterhealthnetwork.com/st-joseph-hospice/new-carpenter-house-in-shreveport/