Mac Simmion Dunaway

Mac Simmion Dunaway, 79, passed away peacefully surrounded by has family on, Wednesday, July 13, in Bluffton South Carolina.  He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Brenda Bagley Dunaway of Bluffton, South Carolina and Chevy Chase, Maryland He was the devoted father to Ashley Dunaway Johnston, Derek Dunaway and Leslie Dunaway May and proud grandfather to Bailey Johnston, MacDowell Johnston, Walker Johnston, Hollis May, Harrison May, Reeve May and Daphne Grace Dunaway and father-in-law to Robert Johnston, Edward May and Pascale Pritsios Dunaway. He was the brother to Faye Dunaway and uncle to her son Liam O’Neill.

Mac was born in Florida and spent his youth traveling around the country and overseas as an “army brat”.  He spent his high school years in Anniston, Alabama where he met his wife Brenda.  Mac attended law school at the University of Alabama, where he clerked for Magistrate Judge Richard Shelby (later Senator from Alabama) in the Northern District of Alabama.  After law school, Mac joined the Federal Trade Commission in Chicago handling antitrust litigation.  He and Brenda moved to Washington DC in 1967 where he continued his law practice.  Mac was a partner at several prominent firms, Gall, Lane and Powell; Reed Smith, and managing partner at Holland and Knight.  He founded the firms Dunaway, McCarthy & Dye, and Dunaway & Cross, which he led until his passing and which continues to be active.   Mac was recognized at the Smithsonian Institution Air and Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center for his contributions to the aerospace industry.

Mac and Brenda gathered friends  through the years together;  playing bridge, cut throat charades games, hosting parties…but Mac most enjoyed family get togethers, especially the Dunaway Family Sing a Long that he hosted in the family home in Chevy Chase at Christmas for over 40 years.

Mac was an avid sportsman who loved hunting, fishing and especially golf.  He played golf all over the world but was happiest on his favorite courses in the DC area.  Mac was a passionate fan of the Crimson Tide and any sports team his grandchildren played on. He traveled the world with Brenda but was happiest on porch of his home in Bluffton.  He was active until his final days. 

Family was the most important thing in his life and he left us with the traditions and love of family that will live on in the years ahead.  He was an inspirational man who enriched the lives of all he met.  He will be deeply missed and joyously remembered.

Donations in his memory should be made to the Palmetto Animal League in Bluffton South Carolina

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