H. Arthur "Mac" Mclane

The Honorable, H. Arthur “Mac” McLane, 83, of Valdosta, died on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, after a period of declining health. Born in Valdosta to the late Carson H. & Philena T. McLane, he had been a lifelong resident of this area. Growing up on Mary Street in Valdosta, Mac developed relationships here that would last a lifetime. A graduate of Valdosta High School in 1957, Mac went on to attend Emory University in Atlanta for his undergraduate degree. While at Emory he joined the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity and held several offices within the chapter, including president. Following his graduation from Emory, he wed the former Jane Bennet from Quitman, on June 17, 1961. They began dating in Atlanta during college. Mac when on to obtain his law degree from the University of Georgia in 1964. He soon returned to Valdosta to begin a practice in law. As Mac grew his career, his father in law unexpectedly died and Mac took on the reins to operate a fully functioning dairy in Brooks County until the family estate could be settled. For a year he milked cows in the early mornings and practiced law by day. Then in 1974, Mac was chosen to become a State Court judge in Lowndes County. This was the beginning of “Judge McLane’s” career on the bench. After sitting on the State Court bench for nearly 10 years, he was tapped by the Governor in 1983 to fulfill an unexpired term on the Superior Court in the Southern Judicial Circuit, presiding over cases in Lowndes, Brooks, Colquitt, Echols, and Thomas Counties. He was elected to the post in 1984 and served as the Chief Judge of the Southern Judicial Circuit until his retirement in 2008 after nearly 35 years as a judge. Following his retirement, he continued to fulfill a part time slot in the Superior Court when needed and provide mediation services in private practice. Judge McLane throughout his career was well regarded as an excellent jurist, achieving the respect of attorneys, jury members, plaintiffs, defendants and law enforcement as well. In 2011, Lowndes County named the suite of courtrooms in the newly built Lowndes County Administration Building, the H. Arthur McLane Judicial Complex, in his honor.
In addition to his public service career in Lowndes County, Mac was very active in a host of organizations. Mac was a very active charter member of Park Avenue United Methodist Church and served in many capacities there. He was also very active in the South Georgia United Methodist Conference having served many times as a delegate and on numerous boards and committees through the years. He was a member and past president of the Valdosta Rotary Club, the Valdosta Symphony Board, a founding member of Leadership Lowndes, a member of Leadership Georgia, and past chairman of the Valdosta Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce. He was also past chairman of the board of Guardian Bank, served on the Georgia Sheriff’s Boys Ranch executive board and remained active in SAE. Throughout the years, Judge McLane stayed active on the Valdosta Bar Association and was past president of the Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia. In 2005 the Alapaha Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America recognized him with the Distinguished Citizens Award, noting his leadership and that he achieved Eagle Scout himself in earlier days. Mac’s leadership and contributions continued to be recognized and appreciated by many organizations throughout the years
Personally, Mac loved being outdoors, whether hunting or taking pictures. This love also grew to help rehabilitate injured birds of prey and other interest include woodworking, listening to bluegrass music and playing chess.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Jane Bennet McLane of Valdosta, his daughter and son in law, Mary Cam & Dana Harding of Tifton, his son, Paul McLane of Valdosta; a brother and sister in law, Tyson & Mary Sue McLane of Lake Park, his sister and brother in law, Millie & Charles Adams also of Lake Park; two grandchildren, McLane (Cam) Gibson and Brantley Harding. Also surviving is a sister in law, Alison McLane of Winfield, BC, Canada and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his brother, Albert McLane.
The funeral for Judge McLane will be held at 11 am on Monday, May 9, 2022 at Park Avenue United Methodist Church. Rev. Jimmy Towson, Rev. David Tart and Rev. Charles Adams will officiate. Burial will follow at McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 3 until 5 pm on Sunday, May 8, 2022. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Park Avenue United Methodist Church, or the Humane Society. Condolences may be conveyed to the family on the obituary page of www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home