Bennie M. McDade

He is preceded in death by his parents Oliver Benjamin and Mildred Melton McDade, his brother Oliver Wilton McDade, and his father-in-law Earl Edward Whitt Sr.

He is survived by his beautiful and loving wife of 53 years, Sandra W. McDade; their six children and spouses: Carla McDade Koob and husband Tim, Tracy McDade Sauvie and husband Jeff, Andrea McDade, Dusty McDade and wife Tanya, Matthew McDade and wife Jessica, and Patrick McDade; their innumerable grandchildren: Halie, Dustin, Austin, Ashleigh, Addison, Kourtney, Baileigh, Mason, Joshua, Jackson, Sydney, Dylan, Gavyn, Hunter, Landry, Madeline, Ayva, Griffyn, Preston, Charlotte, and Abigail; his four siblings (and spouses) Carol Lloyd of Wauwatosa, WI, Bruce McDade (wife Pat) of Irmo, South Carolina, and Neal McDade (wife Joyce) of Union, South Carolina; his sister-in-law Rosa LaMaster McDade Estes; and his mother-in-law Helen Sue Whitt.

Mr. McDade was born on March 29, 1938, in Union, South Carolina. He graduated from Union High School and attended Carson Newman College before joining the United States Air Force. He completed preflight and pilot training at Lackland Air Force Base, Spence Air Base, and Reese Air Force Base. As a commissioned Second Lieutenant he was assigned to the B-47 as a bombardier and flight navigator. 2nd Lt. McDade served active duty for over 5 and a half years stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville, AR, and Lincoln Air Force Base in Nebraska. While serving a TDY stint at Zaragoza Air Base in Spain, he was placed on high alert during the Cuban Missile Crisis. In March of 1965 he was honorably discharged from the USAF.

In May of 1965 he began a 31 year career as a commercial airline pilot with Delta Airlines. This career path led him to meet his future wife, flight attendant Ms. Sandra Sue Whitt. They were married in May of 1970 in Bossier City, Louisiana, and began their family in Irving, Texas. In 1977 the family relocated to Shreveport, Louisiana, where Captain McDade lived the rest of his days. He retired from Delta in 1996 as a senior 727 Captain.

Bennie McDade was strong in his Christian faith as a member of Huntington Park Church of Christ in Shreveport, LA, and Blanchard Church of Christ in Blanchard, LA. He was an avid Major League Baseball and college sports fan. He loved the LSU Tigers, the South Carolina Gamecocks, the Texas Rangers, and the Shreveport Pirates. He enjoyed reading, traveling, telling old stories, tending to his yard, and pouring himself into his loved ones. He was happiest when spending time supporting and providing for his kids, grandkids, and wife.

A visitation for Bennie will be held Sunday, February 25, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home & Park, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport, Louisiana 71108. A celebration of life will occur Monday, February 26, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home & Park.

Bennie will be laid to rest in Forest Park West, 4000 Meriwether Rd, Shreveport, LA.

The service with be conducted by his son Matthew, with remarks by his other two sons Dusty and Patrick.

Pallbearers: Dusty McDade, Matthew McDade, Patrick McDade, Mason McDade, Joshua McDade, and Jackson McDade. Honorary Pallbearers: Neal McDade, Bruce McDade, Lenny Whitt, Ed Whitt, and Scot Decker.