Mr. Leighton McCrary, affectionately known as “Coach Mac”, of Newport, Arkansas, departed this life on Sunday, August 21, 2016, at the age of 64. He was born March 25, 1952, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Linwood McCrary and Dorothy Thomas McCrary. Coach Mac was a 1970 graduate of Dunbar High School in Chicago, where he participated in every activity of a competitive nature and his love of basketball was born while playing for the Dunbar High School Mighty Men Basketball team. Following high school, he moved to Arkansas to pursue his education. Coach Mac graduated from Philander Smith College in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. He then attended the University of Arkansas where he graduated with a Masters of Education in 1982. So he began a wonderful career as an educator and basketball coach that spanned nearly 40 years. First coaching as head coach at Eastside High School in Menifee, then as assistant coach at Park View High School in Little Rock as a Patriot, next he accepted a position as assistant coach at Arkansas State University as an Indian. Leaving Arkansas for Arizona, Coach Mac became head coach for the ‘Lopes at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix for 14 years, and then became head girl’s coach for the Owls at Agua Fria High School in Avondale. In 2006, Coach Mac became head coach of the Newport High School Greyhound Basketball team and golf team until his retirement in 2015. Coaching was his hobby, his career, and his life. Coach Mac worked alongside his lifetime friend, Ron Crawford, with AAU Basketball in Arkansas. He also coached AAU with Arkansas Wings Elite for several years. Coach Mac was a member of the AAA Arkansas Activities Association, as well as the National Association of Basketball Coaches. He was a member of the Greater Morningstar Baptist Church in Newport and a member of the Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed watching game shows and grilling. Coach Mac will be forever remembered for his fiercely competitive nature, his commitment to fairness, his great love of the game, his players and students. Coach Mac was a man of honor, he instilled character in those he taught and just by the nature of his spirit made those around him better people. Coach Mac’s greatest love was his family. He was preceded in death by his parents’ and one sister, Lynnette Clark. Coach Mac is survived by his wife of 26 years, Jacqulin Williams McCrary of the home; two sons, Leighton McCrary, II, and wife, Towya, of Scott, Arkansas, and Donovan McCrary of Conway; four daughters, Tamiko Beals of Chicago, Illinois, Lyn Caradine of Phoenix, Arizona, Shawnece Crisler and husband, Jason, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, and Joi Johnson and husband, Terry, of Dallas, Texas; one sister, Eylonda Dalton and husband, Mickey; ten grandchildren, Perry, Caleb, Branton, Braylon, Leighton, III, Leigha, Jason, Jarvis, Saige, and Jael; his cousins, Latisha and Sterling; a very special friend, whom he considered as a brother, Roger Franks; a host of other family; years of students and players; and a lifetime of friends. Friends may visit at the funeral home, Friday, August 26, 2016, 5:00-9:00 p.m. Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 27, 2016, at Newport Greyhound Field House. Members and coaches of the Newport High School Basketball team will serve as honorary pallbearers. Memorials may be made to Newport Pee-Wee Basketball c/o Newport Elementary, 1900 Commerce Blvd., Newport, AR 72112. To light a memorial candle, leave a message of condolence, or sign the guest register, please visit our website at www.jacksonsfh.com Arrangements by Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home.