Robert W. McDonald, better known as “General Mac” to his military friends, and “Bob” to civilian friends and grandkids, was born January 17, 1929 to Nathan and Bertha McDonald on the dusty plains of Colorado City, TX. He left this world on an eternal flight January 30, 2022, with his two daughters by his side. Bob had just turned 93 years old.
Bob’s family moved to Odessa shortly after he was born, where he would achieve Eagle Scout (he always had a copy of the Boy Scout Oath taped to his desk) and graduate from Odessa High School in 1946. He went on to attend Texas Tech University, where he earned a Degree in Chemical Engineering. He would later joke that he chose Chemical Engineering because it had the shortest enrollment lines that day. He worked his way through college as a butcher, a craft he learned in high school, and as an all-night poker player, which he probably also learned in high school.
General Mac enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1947, serving in the 132nd Field Artillery, 36th Division, at Lubbock, TX. Upon graduation from Texas Tech in 1951, he enlisted in the US Air Force and entered cadets’ class 52H in GA, and finished cadet training at Webb AFB in Big Spring, TX. This would be the start of the career he loved most; being a US military pilot. During this time, he would survive his only crash landing, putting down his plane in a cotton field and living to tell about it.
After gunnery school he was ready for combat duty in Korea. Though fighter trained, he would never fly or fire against an enemy combatant. Upon his deployment to Korea, engine failure would divert his plane back to the US where he would remain. He was proficient and combat ready in F-80 and F-86 fighters where he learned to fly at Mach speeds. His training assignments and drills would allow him to roam the skies and shores of the western US flying at high speeds and dodging danger experienced by very few people. During the Korean conflict the US Air Force had more pilots than planes, so General Mac joined the Texas Air National Guard to continue his love of flying and serving his country.
He became bivocational in 1955 as a pilot in the Texas Air National Guard and an employee of Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO), where he started as a Chemist and finished as a Sales Engineer. He culminated his career at ARCO by landing one of the highest producing gas contracts of its’ time.
In 1958 he met the woman of his dreams, Toni Honeycutt of Linden, TX, and in August of 1962 they married. Three years later they adopted the first of two daughters, Julie, and a year later adopted Suzy. A family man at heart, they were his pride and joy. Bob’s trips to Six Flags over Texas with his daughters and his nieces and nephew were quite the event every summer.
In 1979 he founded Liberty Natural Gas Company with ‘several great partners’ as he put it, who proceeded to build gas gathering systems connecting gas wells with other major pipeline companies. Now he had come full circle from working as a laborer at the local west Texas grocery to working with some of the most prominent oilmen of west Texas. All of Bob’s best qualities were at work during his last professional venture. In addition to a very successful company, he built lasting relationships with partners and loyal employees whom he would boast about for the rest of his life.
General Mac served in the 181st Tactical Airlift Squadron and in the 136th Tactical Airlift Wing. He rose prominently taking multiple assignments including TX State Director of Operations, 181st Tactical Squadron Commander and 136th Tactical Airlift Wing Vice Commander. This culminated into his appointment as the Chief Commander of the Texas Air National Guard in 1983. He was promoted to Major General in 1984.
In 1989 General Mac retired from the Military with numerous decorations and awards including the Legion of Merit, an award given for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. In 1999 he was inducted into the Hall of Honor at The Texas Military Forces Museum at Camp Mabry in Austin, TX.
After his retirement from the military and civilian worlds, he turned his attention exclusively to Toni, Julie and Suzy, and his many golden retrievers. He also enjoyed spoiling his grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as his ‘grandpets’. Bob was fiercely loved by his daughters, who will miss his wisdom, humor, advice (solicited and unsolicited), and unconditional love.
Bob was supportive of his family and friends under all circumstances. He proved this many times over during his lifetime. He taught others by his actions and endearing ways that anyone could be remarkable as well as humble. He was generous with his love, his time, and his infamous handyman tips (“WD-40 and duct tape can fix anything”). He enjoyed a good drink, a mediocre cigar and watching the Dallas Cowboys. Meeting a friend for a burger was a favorite activity, along with seeing his many friends at military association gatherings. Bob valued his friendships dearly.
General Mac was a master storyteller and loved telling his flying tales, talking about his pilot and crew buddies, his business deals and partners, and his family. He always said a good tale is worth repeating; so, he did. These stories, only occasionally embellished, will be remembered and cherished.
He is survived by daughters Julie Reames and Suzy McDonald, along with their husbands Ed Reames and Alexander Reilly respectively, and son Jim Worley. Bob’s grandchildren include Addie, Chris and Blake & Halle Reames, Piper and Patrick Reilly, and great granddaughters Lena, Nora and Margaux Reames.
He was preceded in death by his wife Toni, brother Elton and his parents Nathan & Bertha McDonald. Bob was a trustworthy, honest, loyal and principled man who loved his family more than anything. He was a true Patriot that leaves a legacy to be admired by family and friends for generations to come. May he soar in peace with the Highest Spirit knowing our love is with him always.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, February 14, 2022, in the chapel at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas, 75013. Interment will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Dallas-Ft. Worth National Cemetery, 200 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75211.
The family will receive friends for a visitation on Saturday, February 12, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel.
The service will also be live streamed at TJMfuneral.com on Bob’s obituary page by clicking on the following link: https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/robert-w-mcdonald.
After the service, the recorded live stream will be available for viewing at the same link location.
The family suggests memorial donations be made to the 136th Silver Eagles organization at www.136thsilvereagles.org, to your favorite animal rescue group or to the charity of your choice.