Dwight Hiram McAlister

Dwight Hiram McAlister of Chapel Hill, NC went home to his Savior on May 16, 2026, one day shy of his 81st birthday. Throughout his life, Dwight never knew a stranger and always had a kind word.  He helped more people than we can count, in ways both big and small.  

Dwight was born in Lincoln County, NC in 1945 and lived there with his family until high school when his parents relocated to Chapel Hill.  He graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1967, where he studied political science, helped train the Apollo astronauts at the Morehead Planetarium, made many lifelong friends, and met and married the love of his life, Linda, his wife of 59 years.

Dwight was a lifelong Tar Heel and rarely missed a basketball or football game.  Dwight knew the beauty of a good win over Duke, and he and Linda celebrated every UNC national championship on Franklin Street.  For many years, Dwight was a photographer for the UNC basketball and football teams.  Dwight enjoyed his friendship with Dean Smith and his spot on the sidelines, where he took many classic photos of Tar Heel legends.  In the 1980s, Dwight created and projected a slideshow on the storefronts of Franklin Street immediately following each home football game.  This was long before digital photography, and to pull off that feat, Dwight raced through the streets of Chapel Hill, developed film in his home darkroom, and pulled a highlight show together in a matter of hours.

Ever the entrepreneur, Dwight started a number of his own businesses, including founding Eastgate TV and Appliance, Mortgage Services, and Chapel Hill Mortgage Company.  Looking back on his life, Dwight reflected, "the people were always the best part."  This was especially true in his last business venture, which was also his favorite --  selling and delivering fresh-cut Christmas trees that were hand-picked from the mountains of North Carolina.  Dwight loved spreading the joy of Christmas and became part of many families' holiday traditions.

Dwight enjoyed his life and knew how to have fun.  He was an avid golfer with an excellent ability to sink a long putt.  He fell in love with horse racing and Kentucky, where he delighted in friendships he made with horses trainers and owners alike.  He loved fishing at the beach and always hoped to catch flounder for dinner.  His father taught him woodworking, which he used to build two family homes and beautiful pieces of furniture.  Later in life, he taught himself woodturning, creating special wood bowls for his family and friends.

Of all the things in his life, his family was his pride and joy.  Dwight and his wife Linda have long said the secret to a happy marriage is having fun together.  And have fun they did, through countless home improvement projects (most of which they actually finished), watching basketball and baseball games, visiting family, and enjoying trips to the beach, especially his beloved Amelia Island.  He never had to live a day without his older brother Howard McAlister (of Maiden, NC), and the two spoke on the phone every single day several times.  Dwight was endlessly proud of his two daughters, Kristy and Andrea, in whom he instilled the importance of trying your best, working hard, and being yourself.  He welcomed sons-in-law Mike (Kristy) and Matt (Andrea) to the family and loved them like they were his own.  But his favorite role in life by far was being Papa to his grandchildren, Avery, Maisey, and Sawyer Brown, with whom he shared many marvelous adventures.

Dwight was a devoted member of Mount Carmel Baptist Church, where he married Linda in 1966 and later served in a variety of leadership roles, most recently on the finance committee.  His faith brought him strength and comfort in his life, and he lived his testimony for all to see.   

Dwight is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence Avery and Annie Lee McAlister, and his sister, Betty Vaughan.  In his final weeks, he spoke of looking forward to rejoining his beloved family in Heaven.  Dwight died as he wished (if not when) with his family at his side in the home he lovingly restored.  

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to the church he loved at 2016 Mt. Carmel Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 or www.mcbc1803.org/give.  A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 11 a.m. at Mount Carmel Baptist Church.