- Date Of Birth: June 12, 1934
- Date Of Death: June 17, 2013
- State: Florida
June 12, 1934-June 17, 2013
Mac passed away unexpectedly June 17, 2013 surrounded by his family. He was born to Adrian F. Caruthers, SR and Ruth Grier Caruthers in Jacksonville, FL. He is survived by his wife Mona, brother Lee Caruthers and son Matthew W and his wife Pam Caruthers. Sisters-in-law, Tara Taylor, Edie Taylor, nieces Sara, Jane and Erin Taylor and niece Edie Nelson and nephew Claude (Donna) Nelson. He joins his parents, sons Michael and Mitchell, Sister Edythe Caruthers Nelson and nephew Harold.
Mac joined the US Navy at age 18 and served aboard the USS Bennington (an Essex class aircraft carrier), as an “Airedale”. The Bennington had been re-commissioned and modernized in 1952 and began her shakedown cruise in February 1953. Two weeks into the cruise there was an explosion that took 11 souls. After a two-week period of repairs she joined NATO exercises and then made a Mediterranean cruise. Some of Mac’s fondest memories were from that Mediterranean cruise. While finishing her qualification trials, there was a second more terrible explosion on May 26, 1954. That explosion and fire took 104 officers and sailors and caused serious injury to over 139 others. It was the second worse disaster aboard a Naval vessel that did not involve enemy action. Mac survived by lashing himself to a shower with his belt. He suffered severe internal injuries and extensive burning of this his throat and lungs from the super heated air. Being a man of few words and a lot of action he asked for leave to go home after less than a week in the hospital. He finally convinced the doctors he was ok and took a bus from Norfolk, VA to Aiken, SC to his parents.
After fully recovering and being honorably discharged he began a very long and varied career in IT, networking and education as the Computer Age began in 1957. He worked for IBM for 35 years. He started as a Large Systems Field Engineer, Sr. Field Engineer to National Large Systems Technical Specialist. He moved up to Senior Instructor and Curriculum Developer.
Additionally Mac worked as an Executive Management Trainer and Curriculum Development for many Fortune 500 companies, the US Government, Worldtrade Bank and IMF plus several Canadian corporations.
He maintained an extensive interest and activity in the fine art of Bonsai Trees. He was a member of the Fort Walton Beach Bonsai Society where he was serving as 1st Vice President.
Mac believed that ongoing education and personal enrichment was the primary key to a long, healthy and happy life. He leaves behind a family and many friends from all over the world, who will miss his dry wit, love of life and support.
