Francis “Mac” J. McDonald

Francis J. “Mac” McDonald, 94, of Midland, Texas, passed away Sept. 16, 2021. Mac was born Aug. 8, 1927, in Morgan County, Ohio. After high school, Mac joined the Navy and served from 1945-1949 on the U.S.S. Leyte as an aircraft mechanic.

After the Navy, he began his college education at Baldwin Wallace University and later graduated with a degree in civil engineering from Carnegie Tech. As a burgeoning engineer, Mac followed professional opportunities around the country. He and his wife Joan moved seven times before arriving in Midland in the mid-1960s where they planted deep roots. Mac ended his career in the oil and gas industry as Vice President and Manager of MGF Drilling.

Mac was a committed volunteer throughout the community, serving tirelessly for years alongside Joan for Midland Christian School, Golf Course Road Church of Christ and the Downtown Lions Club. Mac and Joan were charter members of Golf Course Road. Alongside Ike Fitzgerald, Mac established the Texas Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center where eyeglasses are collected nationwide and delivered worldwide. He also coached Little League and Sophomore League Baseball, and served as a scout leader and a United Way volunteer. He spent years as a mentor and friend to the young and old of Midland, Texas. Mac concluded his life of service with One Hope Church of Christ.

Mac is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Olive Humphries McDonald; his sisters, Norma McDonald and Irma McDonald Sellers; his brother, Bruce Marvin McDonald; and his childhood sweetheart of 64 years, Joan Custer Phillips McDonald. He is survived by his children, Phillip McDonald, Heather McDonald Bushnell and husband David Bushnell, Rod McDonald, Clay McDonald; his grandchildren Derek Bushnell and Emily Bushnell Akers and her husband Dale Akers; his sister Wilma McDonald Watts; his sister-in-law Dorothy McDonald; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Lamun-Lusk-Sanchez Texas State Veterans Home for the compassionate care they provided to Mac and to the staff at Interim HealthCare Hospice for their support of the family.

Both a visitation and graveside service will be held at Resthaven Memorial Park on Monday, Sept. 20. The visitation will begin at 8:30 a.m. followed by the graveside service at 9 a.m. The graveside service will be livestreamed for family and friends who are unable to attend at www.npwelch.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Lamun-Lusk-Sanchez Texas State Veterans Home, 1809 North Highway 87, Big Spring, Texas 79720, One Hope Church of Christ, P.O. Box 8722, Midland Texas 79708, or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.