Fredrick McDonald, 82, of Sweeny went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 23, 2011.
Fred was born on January 7, 1929 to Forrest and Myra McDonald in Orange, Texas. He proudly served his country in the military with the United States Navy. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Sam Houston University in Huntsville. Mr. McDonald or “Mr. Mac” as his students called him, was a master teacher for 35 years enriching the lives of students through his leadership as a band director and English teacher. His life had a tremendous influence on his students wherever he taught including the schools of Texas City, White Oak, Brazosport, Brazoswood, Sam Houston State University and Sweeny. Although music and English were his fields of expertise, his primary goal was to make each individual student a better person when they left his classroom. He was honored by his peers with his induction into the Texas Bandmasters Hall of Fame in 1994.
PawPaws’s Paw” gave to each of them. His love for the Lord Jesus was reflected throughout his lifetime and was a blessing extending beyond his family and into the community. An active member of Columbia Methodist Church, serving with and leading the “Monday Morning Methodists” was his greatest joy. His spiritual journey was enriched by attending a Walk to Emmaus, participating on many Emmaus teams and serving on the Houston Community Emmaus Board.
Left to cherish his memory are his daughters and son-in-laws Laura and Lee Huebel of Seabrook, and Cindy and Steve Mann of West Columbia; son and daughter-in-law Wade and Jane McDonald of Dickinson; sister, Virginia Sanford; brother, Forrest McDonald; grandchildren, Ross and Elizabeth Huebel, Adam and Danielle Huebel, Clint and Kaleena Mann, Jeremy and Jordan Mann, Joshua and Rebekah McDonald, Caleb and Rebekah “Becky” McDonald, and Meagen and Brian Moreno; great grandchildren Annabel and Alyssa McDonald, Jocelynn Mann, and Aspen Moreno; and many nieces and nephews. Fred was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Alice Joyce (Pill), brothers John McDonald and William McDonald, and his sister Nora Riggs.
Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation at Baker Funeral Home ~ West Columbia on Monday, September 26, 2011 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at the Columbia Methodist Church, West Columbia with Reverend Patricia Wehn-Glowski officiating. Pallbearers will be his grandsons and honorary pallbearers will be the Monday Morning Methodists. For those desiring, remembrances in Fred’s memory may be made to: Columbia Methodist Church, 315 South 16th Street, West Columbia.
Final arrangements under the direction of Baker Funeral Home, 634 S. Columbia Drive, West Columbia, Texas 77486 979-345-3232