David L. McDonald, 100, of Brownwood, passed away Wednesday, March 7, 2018. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, March 11 at Eastlawn Memorial Park in Early.
David was born September 6, 1917, to Rev. David Franklin and Mabel Fern Sikes McDonald. He graduated from Bangs High School, where he enjoyed playing all sports, especially basketball and football. His love of sports extended throughout his life, and he found great joy and accomplishment as a recreational golfer, successfully shooting four holes-in-one in his retirement.
One of the great adventures of his life began in 1941, when he joined Lockheed Aircraft Corporation in Los Angeles, California, building P-38 fighter planes for the American effort in World War II. On January 1, 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and was assigned to the Ninth Airforce Airborne Troop Carrier Division. Mack, as he was soon known, served in the European Theater as a brake mechanic assembling the CG-4A gliders used to carry troops and supplies into Normandy on D-Day. He was also a member of the Shanty Town Rhythm Boys, a group of servicemen who performed out of converted glider shipping crates.
Mack was discharged from the military on July 4, 1945, and was given a bus ticket home. He ventured to Port Arthur expecting to find work in the refineries, quickly meeting the love of his life, Lois Wallace. Mack and Lois were married February 10, 1946, and moved to Brownwood where they started a family, rearing three sons. Together they enjoyed 69 happy years of life. Mack was the owner and operator of Reliable Floor Company, retiring after 37 years in business. He was also a member of Coggin Avenue Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lois, his parents, and one sister, Chloe Bennett.
Mack is survived by three sons, Terry and wife Pam of Brownwood, Mike and wife Marci of Abilene, and Philip and wife Teri of Leander. Left with sweet memories of their granddaddy are granddaughters Melanie Heimann, Leslie McDonald, Casey McDonald, and Tara Zettel. He also leaves behind two great-grandsons and two great-granddaughters.