Malcolm "Mack" H. Monds, 48, died Dec. 30, 2007, at home in Anchorage.
A celebration of his life will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at ChangePoint Church, 6689 ChangePoint Drive, in Anchorage. Pastor Dave Bacher will officiate. Please wear bright, happy colors.
Mack was born May 15, 1959, in Atlanta. He graduated from Fayetteville High School and was completing his bachelor's degree in business technology. He served in the Air Force for 20 years, in Hawaii, New Mexico, Nebraska, Thailand and Alaska. He was recently employed as the drug program coordinator for the DOT/FAA Alaska Region.
His family and friends wrote: "Mack was the love of Lani's life, and the best dad anyone could want. He was a committed follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, and we have no doubt that he is with Jesus at this very minute, probably trying to help! He had a heart and love for people, even stopping to pick people up off the street and get them help. He would help anyone, anytime, with no regard to his comfort or needs. He did not criticize but demonstrated by example and assistance. He had the craziest sense of humor, as his CPR students will tell you ("another one bites the dust," anyone?) and a gift for making us laugh. He loved music and sports, and he and Lani sang together many times. He received awards and accolades over the years for his leadership, service, dedication to others, work ethic, and innovative thinking. He was a true friend and example for many. We love him and we know we will see him again!"
While in Hawaii, Mack served as youth leader at Palisades Baptist Church and coached several tennis and softball teams, as well as playing both sports. He was also a member of the water ski team at Hickam Air Force Base, and a good surfer. He was a member of the Baptist Student Union choir and the Promised Players. At University Avenue Baptist Church, he served as adult department coordinator and was a delegate to the Southern Baptist Convention, as well as being in the choir. While at Hickam, he received awards for Outstanding Airman and Airman of the Year for his unit and served on the Honor Guard. He continued to sing in choirs and work with small group ministries and the Navigators at the churches he attended in Nebraska and New Mexico, as well as playing on or coaching teams and helping whenever needed. Mack was always the "go to" guy if there was a job no one else would tackle. In Alaska, Mack continued to play ball and coach. He was involved in the Med Team at Change Point Church, the Anchorage Baptist Temple Recovery Ministry and music ministry, a volunteer at Anchorage Christian Schools and Colony High School, and had worked for the American Heart Association's national faculty as an instructor trainer, instructor and ECC member since 1988. Mack was active with Alaska Professional Volunteers for more than seven years, becoming an EMT 2 in October 2006. He served APV as a sergeant, lieutenant, assistant to the director, and training center coordinator. He also worked as a CPR/BLS trainer for the Anchorage School District, Colony High School, University of Alaska Anchorage and various other organizations.
Mack is survived by his wife of 25 years, Pualeilani; daughter, Margaret Monds; and son, Malcolm Joshua Monds, all of Anchorage; mother, Sarah Foley; father, Willie Leo Monds; brother and sister-in-law, Hank and Amy Foley; and sisters, Theresa Bennett, Clare Foley and Paige Foley, all of Georgia. Friends are asked to send memories or stories about Mack to llmoo99@gmail.com.
In lieu of flowers, an account has been set up at Credit Union 1 (No. 480762) for the family. Donations may also be sent to Alaska Professional Volunteers in Mack's name.
Arrangements are with Witzleben Family Funeral Home.