Dr. Maston Ross McCorkle

Maston “Mac” Ross McCorkle, Jr., died suddenly in the hospital on Friday morning, September 30, 2022, due to complications of heart failure. He had been receiving treatment for heart problems for several months. He was preceded in death by his parents, Maston Ross McCorkle and June Lay McCorkle.
Mac was born on June 7, 1952, in Morgantown, West Virginia, but spent most of his formative years in Roanoke, Virginia (an important detail to mention for this future Hokie!). His mother thought of him as a prince—and he was. After seven years of enjoying single-child status, Mac delighted in being an older brother to his sister, Hunter. He later said he felt “lucky to have such a fine sister.” They were a close-knit and loving family, who spent many happy weekends camping at Smith Mountain Lake. By age 9, Mac was such a competent boat driver that he started pulling his father on water skis. Mac himself learned to barefoot ski as he became a teenager.
The McCorkles lived in a tidy brick home on Westhampton Avenue, before moving to a ranch on Chesterton Street. Growing up, Mac observed his father often fixing and building things around the house, and was recruited to help in these endeavors on a regular basis. This paid off later, as he was able to fix almost anything that went wrong at the home or office, and help others fix things. Mac attended Andrew Lewis High School, where he earned the superlative of “Most Reliable.” He went on to earn a degree in Biology from Virginia Tech, and was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He spent his summer vacations working the midnight shift at Mohawk Tire Factory in Salem.
During dental school at the Medical College of Virginia, Mac befriended Rick Martin, a classmate from Norfolk. Rick eventually determined that he could introduce Mac to his younger sister, Dorry. Their first meeting at Sandbridge Beach was complicated by the fact that they each brought dates; Rick had neglected to tell them it was a setup! Despite this minor snafu, Mac and Dorry quickly hit it off at their next meeting and were married in Norfolk on June 24, 1978. They lived in Williamsburg during Dorry’s final year of law school, and then in Richmond while Mac completed his advanced degree in orthodontics.
Mac started his orthodontics practice in Roanoke with the help of Orrin Clifton, a great mentor and family friend. He built a thriving career marked by involvement in multiple professional organizations, including the Virginia Association of Orthodontists and the Roanoke Valley Dental Society, serving terms as president of both organizations. Most of all, Mac loved his patients and staff. Caring and playful, he took obvious joy in being in the company of young people. He asked about their studies and interests, and provided encouragement and advice as needed. He tended to many after-hours emergencies for patients, as well as friends and teammates of his children, kids on the opposing teams, folks who just called in—and once even an injured box turtle who needed its shell wired together!
Mac cared deeply about his employees, and tried very hard to be a good boss. He knew his success depended on the diligence and competence of the whole team. He took all the staff on a number of office trips, including a memorable one to Hawaii.
Throughout his life, Mac was a devoted husband to Dorry and father to Sarah, Chris, and Frances. He was heavily involved in all of his children’s sports, school, and extracurricular activities. He reveled in celebrating holidays, festooning the yard in decorations and dressing up at every opportunity: Christmas and Halloween excited him almost as much as they did the kids.
The family enjoyed many adventures together, including an annual pilgrimage to Sandbridge Beach, countless Hokie football and basketball games, ski trips near and far, continued visits to Smith Mountain Lake (where they often spent time with Hunter’s family), and several international journeys. His favorite was a two-week river boat cruise in France organized by Dorry’s mother, Lois. Mac naturally took on the role of boat captain, and quickly learned to navigate river locks. He was not afraid to try new things!
Mac lavished attention on all of his grandchildren. He helped coach his grandson’s mountain bike team, and enthusiastically kicked the soccer ball and played games with his grandkids. An avid photographer, Mac documented the family’s life extensively, with an increasingly sophisticated array of equipment. He created a treasure-trove of memories that will be forever cherished by his family.
After retiring in 2014, Mac remained active in the community. His interests included singing in the choir and serving on the Vestry and Property Committee of Christ Episcopal Church, riding and coaching with Star City Cycling, membership in the Kiwanis Club of Roanoke, pickleball, piano lessons, bridge and coffee with friends, and tutoring at Oak Grove and Wasena elementary schools. He helped clear and maintain mountain bike trails, captained aid stations for the Blue Ridge Ironman event, and with Dorry was part of the Equitable Policing Coalition, a multiracial social justice group. Mac and Dorry also took many nice trips with friends, travelling to Italy, Scotland, France, Norway, Greece, Eastern Europe, and South Africa.
When it came to doing things he loved, Mac was indefatigable. He did not merely enjoy cycling, but went on 100-mile bike rides and watched the Tour the France for hours and days on end. He was also known for being prepared—some might say over-prepared—for most any situation, leading to an abundance of Useful Items stored throughout his abode and vehicles. He amassed an extensive collection of sporting equipment, tools, Hokie paraphernalia, holiday decorations, Hawaiian shirts, assorted bikes for himself and others, spare change, chewing gum, mints, and writing utensils.
Mac cultivated innumerable friendships during his 70 years. He got to know his neighbors, many of whom became dear friends, and was quite neighborly. He plowed the sidewalks when it snowed, facilitated block parties, loaned tools, and generally made himself available wherever he could be useful. Mac’s unique combination of attributes made him easy to like. He was friendly, good-natured, generous, upbeat, witty, hardworking, helpful, capable, level-headed, and responsible, with a ready smile. Mac’s enthusiasm for life was infectious: he enjoyed all that life had to offer, and encouraged others to enjoy it with him. He was the life of the party, and usually one of the last to leave!
Ever the optimist, Mac remained upbeat up to the end of his life, despite increasing health problems. In his final days, he took a neighbor out for a joyride in his much-loved blue BMW M3, had coffee with cycling friends, savored espresso-flavored custard from Chris’s Coffee & Custard, and visited with friends and loved ones. Mac’s “sparkle energy” will be missed by all who knew him, but his positive impact on this community and the wider world will reverberate for generations to come.
Mac is survived by his wife, Dorry; children, Sarah McCorkle, Chris McCorkle (Emily), and Frances Segura (Anthony); grandchildren, Ethan McCorkle, Ellie McCorkle, Duncan Segura, Charlee McCorkle, and Cori McCorkle; sister, Hunter Nelson (JB); brother-in-law, Rick Martin (Kathy Nolen-Martin); sister-in-law, Ceci Rantz Martin; and beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephew.
A funeral will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 15, 2022, at Christ Episcopal Church. For everyone’s safety, the use of a good-quality facemask is strongly encouraged. Parking will be available at Saint Mark's Lutheran Church (1008 Franklin Rd SW), Second Presbyterian Church (214 Mountain Ave SW), Carilion Dermatology Clinic (1204 Franklin Rd SW), and Bankers Insurance (1201 Franklin Rd SW). Please do not park at Lotz Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ Episcopal Church Roanoke, Star City Cycling, or LovABLE SERVICES, Inc. (which supports Chris's Coffee & Custard). Condolences may be shared at www.lotzfuneralhomeroanoke.com/tributes.
Arrangements by Lotz Funeral Home, Roanoke, VA, (540) 982-1001.