SAN DIEGO, Nov. 29 (UPI) -- San Diego, Calif., beach culture figure Jack Macpherson has died of liver and kidney failure in the city's La Jolla resort community. He was 69.
Macpherson, who co-founded the Mac Meda Destruction Co. -- a loosely knit group of surfers and beach dwellers -- in the 1960s, died Nov. 16, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.
The Mac Meda, made famous by Tom Wolfe's book, "The Pump House Gang," was known for wild beach parties and "huge beer orgies," Wolfe said in his book.
"He definitely killed a few beers in his time," Macpherson's son, John, said of his father. "He lived the old-school, '50s surfer life -- the kegger parties that never really ended."
Macpherson was born Oct. 20, 1937, in La Jolla. He began surfing at age 11.
He is survived by his son; his sister, Jill Higgins; and two grandsons.
A Hawaiian-style "paddle out" has been scheduled in Macpherson's honor for Dec. 10 at Windansea beach.
