Dwight E. McLeod Jr. made his transition to a blessed new existence late Monday, August 17, 2009, following a long, hard- fought battle with melanoma cancer. Born September 1, 1928, he was 80 years old. He lived in Kingsland, Texas.

He is survived by son, Douglas McLeod; daughter, Darcy McLeod; grandchildren, Natalie and Jacob Mann; sister, Doris Evans; former wife, Charlotte Brundrett, all of Austin; as well as many nieces, nephews, other loving relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by son Dwight McLeod III in 1994.

Born and raised in Kerrville, Texas, he graduated from Tivy High School and Schreiner Institute (now Schreiner University), both in Kerrville. He graduated in 1949 From Texas A & I in Kingsville (Texas College of Arts & Industries, now A & M). He saw combat in the Korean War, having been drafted into the army and serving as an aide-de-camp to a brigadier general at Ft. Hood before shipping off to war. He volunteered for combat because he saw a need for more troops.

Mac, as he was affectionately known, was a man of many facets. He wore many hats in the world of work, including a brief stint in the insurance industry and as a general manager of H.E.B grocery stores in the early 1950s. In 1963 he moved his family to the suburbs of Denver, Colorado, where he found success as a real estate agent and broker. In the late sixties and early seventies he was a successful real estate developer. He built numerous homes around the Denver area and a charming, single-family sub-division in Lakewood, Colorado in early 1970s.

During his time in Denver, Mac was also a devoted father and husband, deeply involved in the community as Cub Scout leader, little league football sponsor and a strong church leader. After family and friends, the greatest joys of his life were his ongoing devotion to church work and the numerous used book stores that he established in Austin, San Antonio and Marble Falls, Texas, including the Book Exchange stores in Austin. He was a much-beloved bookseller and brought many happy hours to his customers.

His philosophical beliefs were very strong and through these beliefs he was instrumental in the early growth of the Mile High Church of Religious Science in Denver. When Mac returned to his beloved Hill Country in Texas in the mid-1970s, he brought this philosophy with him, starting the first Religious Science church in Austin. His belief in a good world and a positive outlook on life guided many of those who knew and loved him.

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends who are comforted in knowing that his beautiful soul lives on and is joyful to be on a new adventure in this eternal life.

Gracious thanks to Hospice Austin, his "team of angels," including Diane, Jessica, Sarah, Leo and Jack. Much appreciation to Drs. Demetrius Loukas, Anne Epstein and Timothy Dziuk.

"From eternity to eternity my life flows along its way of peace and harmony. Time brings but more glory to crown me with its pleasures." - Ernest Holmes

Memorial service Sunday, 4:00 p.m. August 30 at the Austin Center for Spiritual Living, 4804 Grover Ave. in Austin, 78756.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Rd. Austin, TX 78759.