Mac Charles Webb

Mac Charles Webb, 87, of Nampa, Idaho, peacefully passed away and went home to Jesus on February 4, 2020. 

Mac was born in the White Flat community outside of Mangum, Oklahoma on September 19, 1932, in the middle of the Dust Bowl, to Joseph Graham Webb and Tennie Webb (McNatt), whom he affectionately referred to as his Papa and Mama.  Mac had a special connection to his Mama, who provided him with unconditional love and support.  Throughout his life he would tell stories about how his Mama’s love held his family together during the hardest of times. It was also her enduring love that helped to comfort him during his final days as he was so looking forward to reuniting with his Mama in Heaven.

When Mac was in grade school, the Webb family moved to Salem, Oregon, where he spent his formative years.  This was a difficult time as other kids made fun of his overalls, worn-out shoes, and his Oklahoma drawl.  Sadly, he had to learn to fight in order to cope with the relentless bullying.  It was, however, those schoolyard brawls that led him to an early career as a professional boxer—a sport that taught him mental toughness and the importance of perseverance in the defense of his convictions.  Mac joined the Army after high school and worked as a logger and powder monkey for a company owned by his brother.  Working those long arduous days, in the cold and rain, he would pray and daydream about one day going to college and being in a warm classroom.  That dream eventually came true when he enrolled at Northwest Nazarene College (NNC) where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He went on to earn his master’s degree at University of Oregon, and later his doctoral degree in Psychology at Oregon State University.

It was at NNC where Mac met the first love of his life, LaDonna Nafziger, who he married in 1957. They had three sons together, Jay, Jeff, and Jac.  His boys experienced great love and tenderness from their father and each had their own special relationship with him. Mac was the kind of dad who would stay up all hours of the night with a sick boy to keep a fever at bay, tell a Jorgenson story before bed even though he’d worked a 10-hour day (these were stories he made up on the spot, with intricate details and plotlines), or give big bear hugs whenever possible.  Mac was a professor of Psychology and Dean of Men at NNC in the 60’s and early 70’s.  Teaching was one of his passions.  He delighted in challenging students to think critically and grow intellectually.  He was particularly passionate about early childhood development and enjoyed teaching his Child Psychology class where he exposed students to a more progressive approach to the role a parent plays for their child’s healthy development and early attachment.  He was adamantly opposed to corporal punishment, and much like “the boxer,” would persevere in his conviction that children do not need physical punishment to learn right from wrong.  Mac left NNC in 1975 to open a private practice in Nampa where he retired in 2017.  He was very active in the field of Psychology: appointed to a three-year term on the Idaho State Board of Psychologist Examiners by Governor Andrus, served as the Chairman of the Ethics Committee of Idaho Psychological Association and President of the Canyon County Mental Health Association. During his professional career, he helped countless families and individuals work through very difficult life issues and mental health crises.

Mac remarried the second love of his life and his best friend, Paula Nordstrom, in 1998 to whom he was a loving and devoted husband. In December of 1999, their union brought Mac the little girl he always wanted, Mary Janece, who he lovingly referred to as his “little Mary.” Mac had a very special bond with Mary. She will always hold on dearly to one of the last things he told her, “I love you so much. You’re beautiful…Always be beautiful and be yourself.”  One of Mac’s favorite places to vacation with Mary and Paula was the Oregon Coast.  So many important memories were created on those trips that they will always cherish.

Mac loved family beyond measure. He made his love obvious.  There was no reading between the lines with him, no ambiguity.  He had a joyful albeit silly chuckle whenever he gave a hug.  He would tell his children he loved them, and he would tell them often.  If they did not to hear him say “I love you so much,” then all they needed to do was look into his eyes to see the swell of pride and profound love reflecting back at them.  It was a true blessing from God that his family had the opportunity to say goodbye to the man they loved so dearly in such a meaningful way.  

Some glad morning when this life is o’er

I’ll fly away

To that home on God’s celestial shore

I’ll fly away

Mac is preceded in death by his siblings Famasa Whitmire, Maurene Darby, Wesley Webb, and Joseph Webb.  He is survived by his sisters Mary Sue Fleming Elsie Ritzow, his wife, Paula, his three sons and daughter, his grandchildren Reanna, Jadon, Ciana, Owen, Ruby, Elijah, and his great-granddaughter, Esrah.

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