McMILLAN, Lawrence James "Mack," lately of Asheville, N.C., died quietlyat home April 12, 2010, surround-ed by his wife and children. Mack was born April 15, 1921, in Mobile, Ala. He grew up in Brewton, Ala., where he helped out at the family dairy and bakery as a boy. He was the first in his family to attend college, graduating from Auburn University in 1942. At the outbreak of World War II, he joined the U.S. Army and received his basic training at Fort Chaffee in Fort Smith, Ark. There he met a local girl, Mary Crane, who was to become his wife of 66 years. From Fort Chaffee he was deployed to Korea, where he served until the end of the war. He was honorably discharged in 1946 with the rank of captain. Following his service, Mack joined Sears, Roebuck & Co., where he became one of the most successful store managers in the country. He worked for Sears throughout the southeast before coming to Tampa to manage the local store in 1965. Longtime residents will remember this landmark building on Hillsborough Avenue, now occupied by Erwin Technical Center. Under his leadership, this became the most profitable Sears store in the nation. He was well-respected by his employees, who affectionately referred to him as "Mr. Mack." He opened the Sears store at the Tampa Bay Center Mall on Buffalo Avenue, which is the current location of One Buc Place, and he retired from this position in 1983. Mack served on the boards of the America Cancer Society and the Merchant' s Association and was a member of the Rotary Club. He was also a long-time member of Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church. Mack was an avid fisherman, enthusiastic football fan and entertaining storyteller. Mack was preceded in death by his son, Tom; his sister, Verda Mae; and his brother, Robert. He is survived by his devoted wife, Mary Crane McMillan; his children, Jeff McMillan of Longwood, Fla., Dan McMillan of Staunton, Va., Tish Alspach of Asheville, N.C., and Annie Leach of Harrisonburg, Va.; as well as 10 grandchildren; and his brother, Roy McMillan of Mobile. A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 17, 2010, at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church. The family will greet friends after the service in the fellowship hall of the church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Four Seasons Hospice, 571 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731 or Alzheimer' s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601.