A Celebration of Life for Mr. Nathan Vaz (Karate Mac) McCalla of Tampa Florida, who passed away in Melech Hospice House on Friday, August 30, 2019, will be held Saturday, September 14, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Allen Temple AME Church; Pastor Glen B. Dames with Rev. Allen L. Cusseaux, Sr. Eulogist and Rev. Dr. Leon Gallon, Officiating. Interment will follow at Orange Hill Cemetery. Mr. McCalla was born in Kingston, Jamaica on May 6, 1952 to the late Mrs. SyBil Silvera and Mr. Roymand McCalla. He attended Public Schools in Jamaica, and at an early aged moved to the United States. With a father as a police officer, he knew the importance of being physically fit, and protecting his family and others. Always fascinated about the art of karate and judo, he would spend his young adult life training, studying martial arts, and later receiving the highest honor in the U.S. as a 7th Degree Black Belt. To know him would be to know him as Karate Mac. That would be the only name he would use or be called. Karate Mac became a consummate businessman and bodyguard at 6'5', 7th Degree Black Belt with over 43 years as a professional martial artist. He was the owner of Kempo School of Karate on Nebraska Avenue, Tampa, FL for 20 years. There, he trained law enforcement, athletes, security personnel and young students who could handle his discipline. He was licensed and bonded in over 38 states, a weapon expert and maintained a chauffer's license for luxury vehicles for over 41 years. Karate Mac had a stellar career protecting music artists such as the late Whitney Houston, Jodeci, R. Kelly, Willie Nelson, Julio Iglesias, George Michael, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, The O'Jays, Boys To Men, Destiny Child, Rick Ross, Meek Mills, White Snake, David Lee Roth, Ozzy Osbourne, Def Leppard, Elton John, The Judds, KC and the Sunshine Band, Jon B., The Temptations, SOS Band, The Commodores, Beastie Boys, Millie Jackson, B.B. King, Stevie Nicks, Luther Vandross, and Tampa's own, Donna Allen. In the championship sports arena, he protected the likes of Floyd Mayweather Jr., Antonio Tarver, Andre Berto, Gary Sheffield, Doc Gooden, Derrick Bell, Michael Clayton, Donald Penn, Marshall Faulk, Hulk Hogan, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, and Tampa's own Holliwood Dawson, amongst others. Karate Mac was also honored to serve as bodyguard to former President, George W. Bush, Greg Bennett, Fred Strickland, Dean Kearney, Billy Graham, and so many others earning him the name 'Bodyguard to the Stars'. Karate Mac leaves to cherish his fond and loving memories, his mother Ms. Bibi Green; fiance Ms. Gwendolyn Webster; and his five loving children: Mr. Christopher McCalla (Shantel), Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Ms. Mary McCalla, Ms. Kenetia 'Gegi' Bembow, both of Tampa, Mr. Taurean Watson (Kaylca), Windermere, FL, and Ms. Jasmyn McCalla of Orlando, FL; His eight adorable grandchildren Vashay, Giselle, Cristian, Dontae, Zakeila, Kaejay, Zhane and Nasir. His siblings from Jamaica, Marcel McCalla, Angella McCalla (Lloyd), Noel Morris (Lilith), Errol Anderson, Charmaine Tacas, Davis Facly, Patricia Dale all of Kingston, Jamaica; Calvin Baboolall (Sarita), Edwin Baboolall (Debra), Esther Williams (Dale), Bibi Habib, and Marcia Hazzard, all of Tampa, FL; A loving uncle, Mr. Roy Gordon of South Carolina and aunt, Mrs. Edith Dermott of Canada; his godson, Mr. Yannick ToniMacRomi Cusseaux, Sr., along with a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives and so, so, so many friends that can't be named. Clearly, ALL who knew and loved him, you know who you are! Mr. Nathan 'Karate Mac' McCalla's remains will repose Friday, September 13, 2019 from 5PM - 7PM atAllen Temple A.M.E. Church, 2101 Lowe Street, Tampa, FL 33605. The family will receive friends from 5PM - 7PM during the visitation. Friends are welcome to share fond memories and words of expressions during the wake from 6pm-7pm.

Visitation
Allen Temple AME Church
Friday, September 13, 2019
05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
2101 Low
Tampa, FL 33605

Funeral Service
Allen Temple AME Church
Saturday, September 14, 2019
02:00 PM
2101 Low
Tampa, FL 33605