Mac Houston Grace, 74, of Henderson, Kentucky, passed away peacefully Thursday, November 17, 2022, at his home with his family at his side.

Mac was a graduate of Henderson City High School class of 1966 and then attended Western Kentucky University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Art Education and returned later to earn his Master's and Rank 1 in School Counseling.  Mac always loved supporting others.  His love for school sports started early on when he was the football, baseball, and basketball manager at City High which also allowed him to travel and spend time with his friends and his little brother.  That support role allowed for him to earn the privilege of Football manager for the Hilltoppers coached by the Hall of Fame coach Jimmy Feix while attending WKU.  Mac loved telling stories about all the non-game day events that shaped his life.  He loved talking to people; he never met a stranger.

For more than 50 years, he taught in Henderson beginning at Holy Name Grade School teaching Science, Barrett Junior High and Barrett Freshman Center, and the remaining time at South Junior High which was renamed to its current name South Middle School.  Mac was of the Baptist Faith.  He was a member of the Kentucky Education Association where he advocated for greater public schools and a 2022 honorary member inductee into the Henderson County Sports Hall of Fame for his dedication to athletics and youth sports in Henderson County.  Mac found joy in helping students see parts of the United States by working with other staff to plan student education trips while teaching at South Middle School.  Many a student has taken an S.T.E.P trip.

"Coach, Manager, Trainer, Art Teacher, Counselor, Director, Friend, Father, Grandfather, Husband, Hall of Famer, Leader, Comedian….Mac.  The list goes on and on.  So many titles influencing, teaching, changing and affecting many people in Henderson County over the years. Such a huge impact on Henderson. Such a great man who loved us all.  You will definitely be missed."  These thoughts were posted by a former student and only scratch the surface of the person he was to so many.

He was preceded in death by his father, Alfred Grace.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Patricia; one son, Nathan Grace and his wife, Jessica, of Corydon, Kentucky; one daughter, Natalie Bennett and her husband, Bryan, of Henderson, Kentucky; his mother, Elizabeth Grace of Henderson, Kentucky; one brother, George Grace and his wife, Beth, of Henderson, Kentucky; four grandchildren, Caitlin Bennett, Aidan Grace, Keegan Grace, and Judson Bennett; nieces and nephews.

Services will be at noon Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at Rudy-Rowland Funeral Home.  Private family burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 22, 2022, and 10 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers the family would prefer Contributions be made to the Scholarship Fund in memory of Mac Grace, C/O Field and Main Bank, P.O Box 5, Henderson, Kentucky 42419.

Online condolences may be made at www.rudyrowland.com .