Fred Macray Christensen (May 11, 1934 – October 11, 2019) was the founder of the Utah-based clothing retailer Mr. Mac. He also served previously as president of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and was awarded an honorary doctorate from Weber State University (WSU).
Mac Christensen | |
|---|---|
| Born | Fred Macray Christensen May 11, 1934 Salina, Utah, U.S. |
| Died | October 11, 2019 (aged 85) Bountiful, Utah, U.S. |
| Known for | Founding clothing retailer Mr. Mac |
Biography
editChristensen was born in Salina, Utah. Before opening his own business, Christensen worked at a large Salt Lake City department store. In 1964, he opened Mac's Clothes Closet in Bountiful, Utah, which emphasized Mormon missionary apparel.[1]
Christensen was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and served as president of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir from 2000 until 2012.[2] He also served as the director of the visitors' center at the church's Washington D.C. Temple.
Christensen served for eight years as a member of WSU's Board of Trustees.[3]
In 2006, Christensen co-chaired Orrin Hatch's Senate re-election campaign with Stan Parish.[4] In 2010, he co-chaired the Senate campaign of Democrat Sam Granato.[5]
In 2011, he was awarded an honorary degree by WSU.[3]
Christensen and his wife, Joan, had eight children. Their son, Steve, a Salt Lake City businessman and document dealer, was murdered by document forger Mark Hofmann in 1985. Another son, Spencer, was called in 2016 as a mission president by the LDS Church, to serve in the Arizona Tempe Mission.[6]
Christensen died on October 11, 2019, at the age of 85.[7][8]
Sources
editReferences
edit- ^ "Mac Christensen, founder of Utah-based Mr. Mac men's clothing chain, dead at 85". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2019-10-12.
- ^ "Mormon Tabernacle Choir President Takes Final Bow", Newsroom, LDS Church, July 27, 2012
- ^ a b WSU Names 2011 Honorary Degree Recipients weber.edu 2011
- ^ Aug 28, 2006 Salt Lake Tribune article
- ^ Thomas Burr and Matt Canham (September 21, 2010). "D.C. Notebook: GOP responds to Bennett's jabs". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2010-10-04.
- ^ "New mission presidents called to serve in Italy, New York and other missions around the world", Church News, January 21, 2016, archived from the original on October 22, 2016, retrieved January 23, 2016
- ^ Utah leaders release statements on passing of Mac Christensen, Mr. Mac retail founder
- ^ Mac Christensen, founder of 'Mr. Mac,' dies at 85