Duncan "Mackey" John McCormick III

It is with deep love and tender sorrow that we share the passing of Duncan John (Mackey) McCormick III on Monday evening, May 5th 2025.  He was born September 6, 1952, the oldest child of Duncan John (DJ) McCormick Jr., and Dorothy (Dot) Carroll McCormick. Mackey’s story is not one of outstanding academic achievements or a professional career. His story is one of a beloved soul whose warmth and joy touched everyone he met. Despite living with Cerebral Palsy and being a quadriplegic, Mackey far exceeded his life expectancy, a testament to the boundless love he both gave and received.

Mackey lived at home with his devoted parents for the first 62 years of his life. As a quadriplegic, he was completely dependent on others for his every need. His parents, along with his siblings, Kenny and Susan took care of him and tried to give him as normal of a life as possible.  As a disabled child in the 50s & 60s, there were not many opportunities for Mackey to get out and explore the world.  That all changed in the 90s when he remarkably was able to control the joystick of a powerchair with very limited use of his left hand.  His father purchased an older model wheelchair van and Mackey took flight. He loved going to music events, the movies, the State Fair and even attending Locksmith conventions with his dad and brother, Kenny.  The Locksmith Association made him an Honorary Lifetime Member!  For several years, he went to “work” at the family business in the afternoons.

Ten years ago, When Mackey’s dad was 90 years old, Mackey moved to Scotia Village Retirement Community in his hometown of Laurinburg.  He has been a resident in their skilled nursing unit until his passing on Monday. The staff at Scotia Village, along with others in the community have been a tremendous blessing to the McCormick family.  They embraced his pure spirit, bright smile and childlike joy.  Mackey especially loved Spiderman, a hero whose courage and heart surely mirrored his own, so the staff decorated his room from top to bottom with Spiderman posters, pictures, figurines and bedding. Spiderman movies and older TV shows were a constant on his TV.

Mackey’s joy, resilience, and innocence touched the lives of everyone around him. He reminded us how to find the wonder in simple things and to love deeply without condition.  He will be profoundly missed.

Mackey was preceded in death by his parents, Duncan John (DJ) and Dorothy (Dot) McCormick.

He is survived by brother, Kenneth McCormick (Kathy) of Laurinburg; sister, Susan McCormick Nance (David) of Cary NC; nieces, Angela Jones (Michael), Caitlin Dakermanji (Joe), Michelle Azzarello, Amy Covington (Mitch) & Kelli Taylor (Michael) along with four great nieces and one great nephew.  He is also survived by his “bestest buddy” & caregiver, Chris Whittington.

A funeral service will be held at the Richard Boles Funeral Service Chapel in Laurinburg on Wednesday, May 14th at 2:00pm officiated by Rev. Elizabeth Forester. Visitation with the family will be held one hour before starting at 1:00pm. Burial will take place after the service in the Old Hillside Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be given in Mackey's memory to Scotia Village, 2200 Elm Avenue, Laurinburg, NC  28352.

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