The Life of Emanuel ‘Bud’ Mack
Emanuel ‘Bud’ Mack (Educator, Civic Leader, Entrepreneur and Activist) succumbs at the age of 84 years and 11 months on Sunday, March 13, 2011 at Memorial Herman Hospital Southeast in the Bay Area.
Mack was the third child born to the union of the late Spelling and Era Warren Mack in Linden, Cass County, Texas on April 13, 1926.  He was baptized at Salem Baptist Church of Linden at an early age.  Emanuel left High School to enlist with the U.S. Army in 1945 and was stationed in Germany during World War II.
After an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, Mack earned his diploma from Fairview High School in Linden, Texas.  While at Fairview, he was a standout member of the varsity football and basketball teams.  Mack enrolled in Prairie View A&M College and graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Industrial Arts and later earned a Master’s of Arts Degree in Industrial Arts.
Mack taught Shop Class and Coached the Girls Basketball Team at Pellam High School near Waco from 1952 to 1954.  As Coach of the Girls’ Basketball team, they went to the State playoffs his 1st year and won the State Championship his 2nd year.  Under his leadership, the Industrial Art students built a Church on S. 10th and Dutton St. in Waco, Texas.
Mack transferred to the College Station School District at Lincoln High School from 1955 to 1964 under Superintendent Dr. Les Richardson.  While there, Mack was selected as Most Valuable Coach in the District in 1955.  His Industrial Art Classes built a house, added in-door rest room facilities to the school, and a Homemaking classroom.   Mack met and married Mazie Nell Smith during his tenure at Lincoln High School.  To this union, two children were born (Cedric Emanuel and Melanie Jeannine Clarabella).  Mack has an older daughter, Janice Saddler.
 When Dr. Les Richardson became Superintendent of the Brazosport Independent School District in 1964, he invited the Mack Family to move to Freeport to teach at the Lanier School and they accepted.  He taught Shop Class, led the 9th grade boys basketball team to a district championship, and formed community ties that have lasted for past 41 years.  After Integration, E. Mack became the Small Engine Repair Shop Teacher at Brazosport High School, a bus driver, and the “go to” disciplinarian.  Mack was awarded the Industrial Arts Association Teacher of the year in 1976 by the Gulf Coast Chapter of Industrial Arts Association.  He later served as President of this chapter.
Mack also recruited at traditionally black Colleges and Universities for B.I.S.D.  Many of the teachers Mack chose are still teachers in Brazoria County.  He also taught Driver’s Education, specializing in students with little or no English to learn to drive and pass the Texas Department of Public Safety written exam.
Mack was elected to 5 terms on the City of Freeport Council from 1976 to 1986.  His accomplishments there included hosting  former First Lady Lara Bush to the Beautification of Downtown Freeport, erection of the new Freeport Police Station, and serving as Mayor Pro Tem.
Mack united and served as a Deacon and Sunday School Teacher with Eastern Branch Baptist Church and later joined and served as a Deacon, President of the Deacon Board, and Sunday School Teacher at First Missionary Baptist Church in Freeport.  He has also served as President of the Brazoria County Boys Club and tutored at the Ramsey and Retrieve Prison Units.  Mack refereed basketball games as part of the Freeport Referees Association in area schools, the Dow League, and the Texas Prison System.
Mack founded Mack Roofing Company while at College Station in the 50’s and continued to own and operate it in Brazoria County from 1965 to 2006 until his health began to fail.  Mack donated his time, equipment, resources and training to Neighbors in Need sponsored by a Group of Dow Workers; Habitat for Humanity’s and the elderly in the community.
Mack was preceded in death by his parents; Spelling and Era Mack; His loving wife of 48 years, Mazie Nell; Brothers E.L. Mack, Burke Charles Mack, and Maurice Andrew Mack; Brother and Sister-In-Law Edgar and Alta Harvey.
Survivors include One Son; Cedric Emanuel Mack (Cathy) of Lake Jackson, Two Daughters; Melanie Jeannine Clarabella Mack of Freeport and Janice Saddler (Jerry) of Clute, One Brother; Leonard Alexander Mack (Eunice) of Missouri City, Five Sisters; Leoanteen ‘Sister’ Mack of Marlin, Elsie Marie ‘Micky’ Jones (Leroyal)  of Los Angeles, California, Dorothy Nell Coleman of Greenville, Peggy Villa and Velma Joyce Mack, both of Linden, One Aunt; Vivian Hill of Dallas, One Brother-In-Law; Billy Ray Smith (Lillian) of Freeport, Five Grandchildren; Three Great Grandchildren, A Special Nephew; John Love (Judy) of Spring,  and a host of nephews, nieces and other relatives and friends.
Active Pallbearers will be Steve Burse, Larry Collins, Edgar Harvey, Jr., Kenny Roberts, Eric Smith, Malcolm Smith, Ira Martin and George Williams.
Honorary Pallbearers are Jack Austin, Willie Cervenka, Tobey Davenport, Hallard Fields, Clifford Fletcher, Carol Horton, Leonard Mack, Cottrell McGowan, Robert Perryman, Dr. George Roberts, Pastor Jason Saddler, Billy Sanders, Billy Smith, and John Smith, III.
Funeral Services will be Saturday, March 19, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Greater Mt. Zion Church 6437 FM 521 in Brazoria with Reverend Ondra Waddy Officiating and the Celebratory Message by Pastor Jason W. Saddler.  Burial will follow at Restwood Memorial Park in Lake Jackson, TX.
Visitation will be Friday, March 18, 2011 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Dixon Funeral Home in Angleton, Texas.  A wake service will be held from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm.  Visitation will also be on Saturday, March 19, 2011 at Greater Mt. Zion Church from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. only.
In Lieu of flowers, please make donations to:  Habitat for Humanity, 12 Circle Way St., Lake Jackson, TX.  77566.
Final arrangements entrusted to Dixon Funeral Home of Angleton. (979) 849-8800.