Rapid City – Royal "Mac" McCracken, 83, died Friday, June 6, 2025 at Westhills Village Health Care.

​​Royal "Mac" Glen McCracken was born on November 16, 1941, the only child of Glen and Linda (Pecks) McCracken, in Madison, South Dakota, and died on June 6, 2025, in Rapid City, South Dakota.  He was baptized at St. John's Lutheran in Howard, confirmed at Belleview Lutheran Church, in rural Miner County, and was presently a member of South Canyon Lutheran Church in Rapid City, South Dakota.

​​Mac graduated from Winfred High School in 1959, and attended college at General Beadle College (now Dakota State University) in Madison, SD.

​​On June 12, 1965, Mac was united in marriage to Beverly Jean Jacobson, and was married for 60 years at the time of his death.  Mac and Bev lived in several cities during Mac's 35-year career with Northwestern Bell/US West.  Mac started as a lineman for Northwestern Bell and retired as Director of Public Affairs in 2000, at which time he successfully ran for the South Dakota Senate, and was humbled and honored to serve for 8 years as a Senator.

​​Mac's philosophy in life was: Do what you can to leave your community, state, and the nation in better shape than what you found it.  Accordingly, Mac was very unselfish with his time and talents for many civic, community, state, and national organizations during his lifetime. Two organizations that captured his heart were the Children's Home Society and Westhills Village.  Mac served for many years for these organizations and many others.  His philosophy was also to live life to its fullest.  He did just that throughout his life and found solace in the time that he and Bev spent at their summer home at South Whitlock Resort near Gettysburg, SD, fishing, boating, and socializing with friends.  He was known for his infectious smile and great hugs.

​​Those grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Bev McCracken; a son, Todd McCracken (Chris) of Spring, Texas; a daughter, Tamara Nold (Jamie) of Sioux Falls, SD; four grandchildren, Megan McCracken, Madison McCracken, Hailey Nold, Riley Nold; a sister-in-law, Nancy Jacobson, and many close friends.

​​He was preceded in death by his parents, Glen and Linda (Pecks) McCracken.

​​Memorial services will be held at South Canyon Lutheran Church on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 3 p.m. MT, under the direction of Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.

A private family inurnment will be held at a later date at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Howard, SD.

​​A memorial has been established for the Black Hills Children's Home Society and Westhills Village Foundation.