Published: November 26, 2008 03:04 pm         

2008 Man of the Year: R.C. McFall

‘Good old boy’ image mask for smart, capable mind

Johnson County Commissioner R.C. McFall likes to portray himself as just an ole country boy from Glen Rose. That many in the county consider him that and much more led to McFall being named the Times-Review’s Man of the Year.

“Mac’s always pulled that ‘I’m just a country boy’ routine,” U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, joked. “And every time I’ve heard that I always hold on to my shirt and my wallet because he’s smart as a fox. I’ve never known anyone more concerned with his constituents.”

McFall, known as “R.C.” or “Mac” to most, may have started off in Glen Rose, but he went on to make a huge difference in Johnson County, serving first as the Johnson County fire commissioner before taking office as Precinct 1 commissioner in January 1993 — a position McFall held until November, when his re-election bid fell short of Republican Rick Bailey’s challenge. McFall will leave office Dec. 31.

An only child, McFall was born in Glen Rose on Jan. 25, 1945, to J.C. and Irene Jolly McFall. After graduating high school in 1963, he temporarily relocated to Dallas to work as a pipe-fitter apprentice.

“He wanted to move closer to Glen Rose though,” said Elaine McFall, McFall’s wife. “But there was nowhere to make a living there, so he came to Cleburne.”

McFall hired on as a salesman at Cleburne Ford, a job that introduced him to his future wife.

“I was 19, working at Southwestern Bell,” Elaine McFall said. “I went into the Ford dealership because I was thinking of buying a car. He was the salesman, we met.”

Four months later — Aug. 11, 1967 — the couple wed and settled in Cleburne.

“I never actually got around to buying a car,” Elaine McFall said.

McFall later opened McFall Motor Company on North Main Street, a business he maintained until becoming commissioner. Along the way the couple had two children, Robert and Lori, who is now Lori Wilson. Through Wilson, McFall has three grandchildren, Lauren, 10, Kynlee, 3, and Logan, 5 months.

A lifelong love of history and a desire to help others prompted McFall to enter local politics, Elaine McFall said.

“I’ve always admired his ability to work with others to get something accomplished; that’s a rare gift,” Elaine McFall said.

McFall’s peers agree.

“Of the many years that I have known Mac, he has been a true public servant,” said County Judge Roger Harmon. “He operates his life with strong integrity and a strong concern for the people that he works around.”

McFall was the first to call Commissioner Don Beeson after he won election to the court in 2006, Beeson said.

“He offered to assist me as I began my new career,” Beeson said. “I took him up on that offer, and he became my mentor. Elected officials from around the state know him and respect his judgment.”

Commissioner John Matthews called McFall a mentor, counselor, confidant and friend.

“Our county will miss Commissioner McFall’s wisdom, knowledge, experience and wit,” Matthews said. “I have been so impressed with his willingness to assist the new incoming commissioner, and he has displayed continued commitment to his staff, precinct and county even after the November election.”

Cleburne Mayor Ted Reynolds calls McFall a true friend of the county.

“He does not just pretend to know what his constituents want, he talks to them in person to find out,” Reynolds said.

Edwards credits McFall with leading the fight to re-open Hamm Creek Park, a park, Edwards said, that will provide outdoor recreation to Johnson County families for decades to come.

Cleburne businessman Lowell “Stretch” Smith Jr. praised McFall’s colorful and unique outlook on life and his fresh and practical approach to solving problems.

“Pa Pa’s awesome,” said Lauren Wilson about her grandfather.

Lori Wilson called her father a great choice for Man of the Year.

“He’s just a great guy with a big heart who’s done a lot of good for people, and I’m proud to say he’s my father,” Wilson said.

The initials stand for Robert Carlyle, by the way, Elaine McFall said.

“People didn’t really start calling him R.C. until he became commissioner, but now it’s pretty common,” Elaine McFall said. “I’ve always called him Carlyle, which sometimes causes people to ask me who I’m talking about.”

In his rare free time, McFall enjoys fishing, hunting and working his land, passed down from his grandfather, in Glen Rose, Elaine McFall said. The land has more dinosaur tracks than the state park in Glen Rose and attracts people from all over. Music is another passion. McFall has a beautiful singing voice and God-given talent on the guitar, Elaine McFall said.

     

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