John Mack Ousley

John Mack Ousley, renowned opera singer, passed away quietly in his sleep on May 16, 2008; this was in opposition to his dynamic personality and dramatic roles, which were the center of his career. Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, May 22, 2008 at Lakeshore Baptist Church with Rev. Sharlande Sledge officiating. Burial will follow at Waco Memorial Park. Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 21, in the Wilkirson Hatch Bailey Garden Room. He was son of the late Dr. J.W. Ousley, University Professor and Baptist minister; and Mrs. Erkalene Ousley, acclaimed Texas music teacher. John Mack was born and reared in Waco Texas, where he graduated from Baylor University. While advancing his opera career, he did post graduate work at UCLA in Los Angeles. Later, he moved to New York City, where he earned a Master's Degree at the famed Julliard School. As a soloist, he has performed all over the world in operas, oratorios, concerts with orchestras, ballet companies, festivals and in musical theatre, with such maestros as Leonard Bernstein, Johannes Somary, Robert Wagner, Gregg Smith, GianCarlo Menotti and James Levine. Some of those engagements include The Metropolitan Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Philadelphia Lyric Opera, The Washington Opera Society at the Kennedy Center and the famed Spoleto Festival in Italy. With a lifetime of credits, Mr. Ousley was a soloist with the New York Philharmonic, The American Symphony, The American Ballet Theatre, The Newport Music Festival and The Jerusalem Festival, in Israel. He appeared on Broadway in The Coronation of Poppea. John Mack's bass voice is heard in such films as "Paint your Wagon", "Hello Dolly", "Goodbye Columbus" and "Death Wish". Also, he has been a recording artist in the genres of scared, classical and pop music. Among his favorite television appearances was his work with Mitch Miller on their NBC series. Simultaneously with his performance work, Mr. Ousley was on the faculties of The Horace Mann School and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. He is survived by his brother, Robert Wayne Ousley, also a performer and Broadway singer and actor. It is with regret and joy that he has been welcomed into the loving arms of his parents and his maker. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dr. J.W. Ousley Schloarship Endowment Fund or to Mrs. Erkalene Ousley Scholarship Endowment Fund at Baylor University. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. WILKIRSON-HATCH-BAILEY