Lloyd George Makool

OREGON/WAUSAU-Pastor Lloyd George Makool (retired), age 84, formerly of Oregon, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010, at Mount View Care Center in Wausau after a lengthy illness. He was born on July 25, 1926, in Janesville to Nora and Louis Makool and had one younger brother, Gordon. Lloyd was a lifelong Presbyterian and attended Christ Presbyterian Church in Madison for about 15 years prior to his death. Religion played an important role in his familys history, during his childhood, and throughout his life. His mother, Nora, was born in a small village in the mountains of Lebanon in 1904, and his father, Louis, was born in Damascus, Syria, around that same time. Both families were descendants of the early Christians who lived in those areas. When they were teenagers, Louis and Nora moved to the United States with their respective families, and both families settled in the Janesville area. Louis and Nora were married in 1925, and Lloyd was born the following year. When Lloyd was only 6 years old, Louis tragically drowned, and Nora had to raise her sons by herself with help from other family members who had also settled in the Janesville area. Lloyds grandfathers, Nasrallah Melan and Joseph Makool, were especially instrumental in his upbringing, as were two of his uncles, brothers George and Joseph Melan. Family was extremely important to Lloyd throughout his life. In 1944, at age 18, Lloyd graduated from Janesville High School and joined the Army. He became one of only five men from the 200 in his outfit to be selected to attend an officer candidate school in Fort Benning, Ga. He served in the Army until 1946 when World War II ended. Returning to Wisconsin, Lloyd attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He became a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the U.W. and earned a bachelor of science degree in political science. He then taught history in Alton, Ill., from 1950 to 1953 before accepting a position as an American history teacher in Beloit, Wis. On July 14, 1956, Lloyd married Ann Wykes Masterson, another Beloit teacher, formerly from Port Henry, N.Y., and the two made their home in Janesville and had three children (Jonathan, Rebecca, and Rachel) between 1957 and 1961. Lloyd taught U.S. history at Janesville High School until 1962 when he felt the call to serve God and moved the family to New Jersey so he could attend Princeton Seminary. After he received his bachelor of divinity degree, the family returned to Wisconsin. Lloyd was ordained as a Presbyterian minister in 1965. Over the years, he served congregations in Hamilton Square, N.J., and in Hager City, Arpin, Cambridge, Shopiere, Juda, and Caledonia, Wis. Lloyd and Ann were true partners in their respective roles as minister and ministers wife and loved being of service to others. They also deeply appreciated the love that they received in turn from their parishioners. Lloyd and Ann were married for 53 years until Anns death on Dec. 12, 2009. Lloyd had an adventurous spirit. He loved taking road trips and exploring new places, whether they were small towns, big cities, or national parks. He enjoyed the outdoors and frequently hiked in local parks with his son, Jonathan. He liked swimming, county fairs, and dogs. Lloyd also appreciated good food, especially Middle Eastern food and steaks, and never turned down a piece of homemade pie. One of his favorite pastimes was to have good conversations with good friends and family members over good food. Lloyd is survived by his three children, Jonathan Makool of Madison, Becky Makool of Palmer, Alaska, and Rachel Makool; son-in-law, John Alt of San Francisco, Calif.; his former daughter-in-law, Doreen Davis of Wisconsin; his grandsons, Nathanael Makool and Matthew Mockross of Madison; his uncle, Joseph Melan of Janesville; and his many nieces and nephews and cousins. Lloyd was preceded in death by his wife, Ann Makool; his parents, Nora and Louis Makool; his brother, Gordon (Irine) Makool; and numerous aunts and uncles. A funeral service will be held at CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 944 East Gorham St., Madison, at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 7, 2010. A visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service on Friday. Memorials honoring Lloyd Makool may be made to Christ Presbyterian Church, 944 East Gorham St., Madison, WI. 53703, First Presbyterian Church, 17 North Jackson St., Janesville, WI 53548, or Princeton Theological Seminary, P.O. Box 821, Princeton, N.J. 08542-0803. Memorials: Memorials honoring Lloyd Makool may be made to Christ Presbyterian Church, 944 East Gorham St., Madison, WI. 53703, First Presbyterian Church, 17 North Jackson St., Janesville, WI 53548, or Princeton Theological Seminary, P.O. Box 821, Princeton, N.J. 08542-0803. Visitation: A visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service on Friday. Service: A funeral service will be held at CHRIST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 944 East Gorham St., Madison, at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 7, 2010.