Larry Penkava
Staff Writer
ASHEBORO —
He was a man of principle who knew how to tell a good joke.
Mack Priest, a self-made businessman who served on the Asheboro City Council for 22 years, died Aug. 17 at the age of 76.
One of 13 children, he was born in Carthage before moving to Asheboro, where he met Mary Lou Trogdon, his wife for 56 years.
In 1960 he founded Priest Grading Co. and developed it into a successful business. He was elected to the City Council in 1987 after serving seven years on the Planning Board. From 2001 to 2005, he was mayor pro tem. He retired from the Council in 2009.
Priest was also active in the Kiwanis Club, where he did a stint as president, was named a George Hixson Fellow and recently was honored with a life membership.
He also chaired the Randolph County Bond Authority and was a member of the Asheboro Home Builders Association.
“We’ve lost a good one,” said Mayor David Smith. “I enjoyed serving on the Council with him for 12 years. He taught me a lot.”
Smith said Priest had a great sense of humor, often playing practical jokes.
“He was always quick with a joke,” said Smith. “I remember him telling jokes at (the Kiwanis Club) Pancake Day and at Kiwanis meetings. He always had a story to tell.”
Retired Asheboro Fire Chief John McGlohon said he had known Priest for many years but came to know him better while both were on the City Council.
“He was a pure gentleman, which is a rare kind these days,” said McGlohon. “You don’t meet many like him. My association with Mack over the years was exceptional.”
Priest’s experience in construction was a “big help on the City Council,” McGlohon said, particularly his knowledge of engineering.
Principle led Priest in his decisions on the Council, according to McGlohon. “When his mind was made up, you couldn’t change it. When he thought he was right, he stuck to it.”
Former Mayor Joe Trogdon remembers Priest as a good businessman and councilman.
“He had to work,” Trogdon said of Priest starting his own business. “But work was one thing he was never afraid of.”
As for Priest’s service to the city, Trogdon said, “He did a doggone good job. He believed in doing what was in the best interest of the city.”
Trogdon also recalled Priest’s sense of humor. “He was always funny. And he’d get you a little bit if you weren’t on your toes.
“We were lucky to have him on the Council. He did a good job for the city. It was a pleasure for me to work with him.”
Priest’s funeral was last Friday at Central United Methodist Church, where he was an active member. He was buried at New Hope United Methodist Church cemetery.
Surviving are his wife, Mary Lou, daughters, Natalie Bell and Allison Caviness, son, Archie Priest Jr. and brother, Joe Priest.
He was preceded in death by twin daughters, Melanie and Melinda as well as nine brothers and two sisters.
He’s also survived by the many friends he left behind.
“He was a good friend to me,” said Smith, “and a great friend to the city. He was everybody’s friend.”
Larry Penkava can be reached at (336) 625-5576 or by e-mail at lpenkava@randolphguide.com
