Miles Eugene “Mac” McKnight Jr. was born in 1924 in Culver City, California. The youngest of two siblings, Mac developed a close relationship with his sister Geri; a bond that lasted throughout Mac’s lifetime. Growing up in the midst of an expanding film and television industry, Mac was part of Spanky’s “gang” in several episodes of the beloved television series “Little Rascals.”  In addition, he often accompanied his favorite “Uncle D” on his travels transporting animals to remote locations for film shoots, during which Mac developed an appreciation for California’s rich and varied landscape.  These early adventures made rich material for the stories he would later share with his children and grandchildren.

 

Shortly after the U.S. entered WW II, Mac enlisted in the Army Air Corps.  While stationed at Williams Field in Arizona, he completed his aircraft mechanic’s training and became a non-commissioned officer.  In 1943, during a brief medical furlough, he married his long-time sweetheart Evelyn Dow.  After the honeymoon, Mac returned to active service and was stationed at Hickam Air Force Base in Oahu, Hawaii.  He suffered a serious injury when his B-25 aircraft made an emergency landing and the crew was forced to jump to safety. 

 

After two years of medical rehabilitation, Mac was honorably discharged from the military and returned to civilian life in Culver City, where he started his new family.  His daughter Janet was born in 1947, followed by Christine, “Chris” in 1949.  In 1956, he moved his family to Bakersfield and founded Ba-Valley Industrial Supply, a business that continues to prosper.  

 

Mac’s and Evelyn’s family grew with the arrival of their third child, Richard, who was born in 1959.  Two year later, the loving family was touched by tragedy when his wife Evelyn suffered a debilitating stroke.  With the support of family and friends, he tended his beloved wife through her long illness, all while becoming a “Mr. Mom” and nurturing his young business.  

 

In 1977 Mac married his longtime friend Varian “Marie” Vendsel, expanding his family to include her five children, to whom he became a loving and supportive father.  Over the years, Mac was a generous and loving patriarch presiding over a family that continued to grow. 

 

In addition to his professional and family obligations, Mac was an active member of Bakersfield’s civic community.  In 1963 he joined the Bakersfield Breakfast Lions and remained an active member for more than 50 years.  He was a member of the Power Transmission Distributors Association, serving as its president in 1969. Mac was also a founding board member of the Bakersfield Regional Occupation Center (ROC as it was known), which became a regional training center for high school students and young adults. The ROC training program he helped develop became a model for other Regional Occupational Programs implemented throughout the United States. Mac was also the President of the Kern Chapter of the Bakersfield Junior Achievement program, as well as a member of the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce, President of the local chapter of the Administrative Management Society, a member of the Bakersfield Credit Association and a member of the BF Goodrich Board of Distributors.  Along with his beloved second wife Marie, Mac was a regular attendee and member of Parkside Church and an active participant in the church’s bible study program.  Last but not least, Mac’s community service included his performances as “Santa,” a role that he performed for more than fifty years.  He looked forward to donning his red suit, red cap and white beard and spreading the joy of the holiday season to those less fortunate.

 

After 40 years of presiding over the success of Ba-Valley, Mac sold his thriving business in 1996.  During his retirement, he and his wife Marie finally had the opportunity to pursue their other passions.  They were avid travelers whose journeys took them to Europe, Australia, Alaska, Hawaii and Mexico.  In addition to enjoying golf, they spent time camping and fishing in their beloved Sierra Nevada and entertaining their grandchildren and great-grand children.

 

“Mac” passed away December 17, 2015 at Bakersfield’s Rosewood Retirement Community after a long illness.  His large and diverse family remembers him as a man who left them many valuable gifts, principally his core values that continue to guide the way they try to live their lives.  Like many sons and daughters, we all wish we could go back and say “thank you” a few more times.  His warmth, generosity, vibrant spirit and love for life have been his greatest gifts to all who knew and loved him. 

 

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