Jack "Jackie" McQueen, 84, of Morehead City, North Carolina, passed away on August 12, 2026, with his wife and daughter by his side.

The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m., Saturday, August 22nd at Munden Funeral Home, with a short ceremony beginning at 2:30 p.m. to honor Jack’s life.

Jack was born in Donora, Pennsylvania, to the late Gordon "Mac" Jordan McQueen, Sr. and Elizabeth "Betty'' Marino. He grew up in Morehead City as part of a large family, including his mother, father, 2 sisters and 3 brothers, his grandmother and grandfather and lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins, all running the Marino family restaurant business, The Rex Restaurant, a place that would remain woven into the story of his life for many years to come.

Jack graduated from Morehead City High School in 1960, where he was president of his junior class. He played quarterback for the Morehead City football team (#10) during which time the team won the State A-CC Championship. In addition to football, he also played baseball in his younger years. He also contributed a column to the school newspaper, giving love advice to his fellow classmates. Watching sports on TV, hunting, fishing and playing golf were all a big part of his adult life.

After graduation, Jack joined the United States Air Force and attended basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. His military service was cut short when it was discovered that he had hearing loss in both ears, and he was dismissed before graduation.

Throughout his life, Jack was a hardworking man who held different jobs and made friends wherever he went. He worked as a machinist for General Electric in Wilmington for several years before eventually returning to Morehead City and to The Rex Restaurant, this time as a cook.

It was there that one of the most important chapters of his life began. At The Rex Restaurant, Jack met Mary, who was working as a waitress. What began in the restaurant became a love story that would carry them through more than three decades together. Jack and Mary were inseparable, sharing a life filled with family, memories, adventures, and love.

The couple later moved to Clinton, North Carolina, where Jack worked as a machinist for Alcatel and later with Best of Clinton Car Sales, picking up and delivering used cars. After 16 years, they returned home to Morehead City. Jack then found a job he truly loved with the North Carolina Ferry System, serving as a security guard at Minnesott Beach for more than 10 years. He retired at the age of 78 from not only a job he loved, but from people he loved as well.

More than anything, Jack loved his family. Family reunions, trips, picnics, or simply being together were some of his happiest times. It didn't matter much where he was - as long as his family was there, Jack was happy.

He loved taking long rides with no particular destination, simply enjoying the journey and discovering somewhere new along the way. He was a master storyteller, the kind of person who could capture an entire room and have every ear turned toward him as he told one of his stories.

Jack will be remembered for the stories he told, the places he went, the games he watched, the people he met, and above all, the family he loved so deeply. His presence filled a room, and the memories he created over a lifetime will continue to be told, laughed about, cherished, and passed down through the generations who loved him.

Jack is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Bradshaw McQueen; his daughter, Gina McQueen Miracle (Mike) of Wilmington; his stepsons, Clint Johnson of Morehead City and Billy Jones (Rosie) of Wilmington; his grandchildren, Skylar Johnson (Ty) of Morehead City, Madison Miracle of Wilmington, and Olivia Faith Johnson (Brandon) of Morehead City; and his great-grandchildren, Cameron, Arissa, Marley, Jaxson, and Kai.

He is also survived by his siblings, Doris McClung (Floyd) of Charlotte, Danny McQueen (Mary) of Beaufort, Bruno McQueen (Kathy) of Melbourne, Florida, and Betty Jo Waite of Hampstead.

In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by his brother, Casey McQueen, and grandchildren, Robbie Cribb and Kevin Cribb.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.