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H. Macon Dunnagan Jr.

H. Macon Dunnagan Jr. (1959– ) is an author (Sons of Kilimanjaro; Alexander Books, 2002), Hon. Tanzanian Ambassador of Tourism to the United States of America, Mt. Kilimanjaro Expedition Director with Zara Tanzanian Adventures and Tanzania travel expert based in Charlotte, NC.

Born in Belmont, North Carolina to Harold M. Dunnagan and the former Ann Crenshaw, Dunnagan is the eldest of three children. He graduated from Gaston Day School in 1979. During those years he developed a desire to travel, working at Cheeca Lodge in Islamorada, FL. In 1979 he entered Leese-McRae College, transferring to Wofford College in 1981. Trying to find a major that would allow him the freedom to travel, in 1984 he transferred once again to Lenoir-Rhyne University, where he graduated with a degree in Philosophy and Religion. Accepting a job with Piedmont Airlines in Columbia SC in July 1986, Dunnagan’s involvement with the world of travel had begun. Transferring to Piedmont’s base in his hometown of Charlotte, Dunnagan spent the next six years traveling, taking his first trip overseas to England in 1987, where he befriended the archaeologist John Lange. While continuing to travel, he furthered his education, studying international business at Queens College in Charlotte and Central Piedmont Community College. In 1988 he accepted a summer sabbatical and studied at Oxford's New College. Invited by Lange to an archaeological dig in Évora, Portugal, Dunnagan would return there for the next four years.

In 1991, at the start of the first gulf war, Dunnagan was transferred to Laguardia Airport in New York and was promoted to customer service supervisor after a year. Unable to travel in his new position, however, he returned to Charlotte. On his second trip to Fiji in March 1997, he met Michelle Amanda Phillips of Gibsons/Vancouver Canada. They were married in January 1998 in Charlotte.

In January 1999 Macon and Michele left for a South African vacation. Macon had already decided he wanted to Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. Prior to his departure for South Africa, he had sent a letter to Zara Tours, the only outfitter he knew of that focused on climbing Kilimanjaro. With little experience in hiking and none in mountain climbing, he made his first ascent in February 1999. He would return to climb again in 2000. Subsequent to this, he wrote the novel Sons of Kilimanjaro about four men, each with his own reason for wanting to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. But tragedy in Macon’s own personal life would soon follow.

In August 2005 Michelle was diagnosed with stage 3c ovarian cancer. After a courageous battle, she succumbed to the disease in August 2007. Two weeks later Macon traveled to Tanzania to place her ashes on top of Kilimanjaro. From that point forward, he would lead climbs to fund ovarian cancer awareness in the month of September.

In November 2007, Macon met Nancy Carr, a divorced mother of two (Alex and Ellen Green) at an oyster roast in Charlotte. In October 2009 Nancy and Macon were married. In September 2010 Macon went back to climb Kilimanjaro for his 14th, 15th and 16th times, becoming the first person ever to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro three times in 28 days. In January 2011 he went back to climb again with Zara tours for his 17th time. In September 2012 Macon became the first person ever to climb Kilimanjaro 4 times in 28 days, and became a Rotarian along with being made a Paul Harris Fellow.

   The Dunnagan's (Nancy and Macon)were granted a divorce on December 16 2013.
  He continues to live in Charlotte and climb Kilimanjaro at least three times a year. He returns for his 36 Kilimanjaro climb with Zara Tanzanian Adventures in January 2015