|
Robert L. McDonald
Byran-College
Station Eagle
Services for Robert L. McDonald, 80, formerly of Benchley, are set for 11 a.m.
Saturday at Benchley Church of Christ. Jesse Jenkins and Scott Finley, both
Church of Christ ministers, will officiate. Burial will be in the Rest-Ever
Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at Callaway-Jones
Funeral Home in Bryan. Mr. McDonald died Wednesday in Rowlett. He was born in
Vernon and lived in Benchley since 1989. He was a retired minister and former
preacher of Benchley Church of Christ. He served in the U.S. Air Force during
World War II. He was a resident of Behchley and Brazos County since 1989 and was
a member of Benchley Church of Christ. He was preceded in death by his wife,
Betty Joe McDonald. Survivors include three daughters and three sons-in-law,
Janet and DeWayne Hunt of Garland, Karla and Ray Bouman of Flint, and Connie and
David Peden of Quinlan; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
From Scott
Finley
Robert Leon McDonald
Robert Leon McDonald was born on
September 29, 1923, in Vernon, Texas, where he spent his early life. His parents
were Karl Green McDonald and Mattie Ellen Hise. He had 8 siblings.
Robert, or Bobby, as he was known,
was active in the school band in Vernon, Texas, playing the trombone and winning
many medals.
Later he attended Tyler Business
College, and was inducted into the Army Air Force in 1943, achieving the rank of
Sergeant. He received the Victory Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal and the
American Theater Campaign medal. His assignments included Air Operations
Specialist, and Radio Operator-Mechanic. He operated and maintained airborne
transmitting and receiving equipment, received and transmitted international
Morse Code, tune equipment, maintained calibration charts and performed flight
maintenance.
He met and fell in love with Betty
Jo Moore in 1944. They were married in November 1945, in Clovis, New Mexico.
They later lived in Lafayette, Louisiana, and Waco, Texas, where they bought
their first home. They moved to Greenville, Texas in 1950.
Bob made the decision to preach
the gospel while living in Greenville, Texas in about 1951. He traveled to the
small country church in Campbell, Texas to preach on Sundays.
His first "full-time" work was
with the church in Edna, Texas. He then preached for the churches at Greens
Bayou, in the Houston area, and the Timberland Drive church in Lufkin, Texas.
In 1961, he began work with a
small group of Christians in Tyler, Texas, who had left liberal churches and
started a new congregation meeting at Bow Street at the Van Highway. The church
there flourished and grew and soon had built a meetinghouse on Garden Valley
Road.
Later he preached for churches in
Baytown, Pampa, Odessa, San Antonio, The Woodlands, Longview, and finally worked
with the church here in Benchley.
In the late 50’s, he began editing
a publication known as "The Discerner." In this paper, he discussed issues in
the church. "The Discerner" had a nation-wide readership and accomplished much
good. Readers of "The Discerner" will well remember the two words he often used
in closing an article: "Brethren, think!"
Bob never shirked from preaching
and teaching what he believed to be the truth. In the early 60s, he began
preaching against Christians becoming Masons. He wrote a book entitled, "Masonry
and The Christian." Many Christians renounced the Masonic Lodge as a result of
his work in this area.
He later wrote a book entitled,
"Exalted Above the Hills."
Bob was a devoted husband, father,
and grandfather. He seldom complained about anything, and Jo often said that she
could never have found a man easier to live with.
His congenial
personality, his well-developed sense of humor, and his genuine concern for
others will long be remembered by anyone who was privileged to have known him.
Recollections:
***From R.L. "Bob" Craig:
Robert McDonald and I had a running joke: I was #1 Bob and he was #2 Bob. But,
after my move to Odessa, Robert and his wife Jo were so helpful, generous and
hospitable, and that was the first time I had a chance to say it publicly. This
is no longer a joke - Robert McDonald is #1 in my book. You can say nearly all
the things I understand would be said in regard to preachers or prominent men,
and they would be fitting to brother McDonald. Hell be remembered
for his writing, his preaching. his debating, and perhaps other things I
cant think of right now. Of Robert and Jo it can be said, “They were friends in
need and friends indeed.”
Dictated by
Robert L. Craig on January 14, 2004, in tribute to Robert McDonald, whom he knew
so well, loved so much and for whom he now mourns. (James DeVoll)
***From Byron Gage: I owe much to Bob McDonald
which could never be repaid. He encouraged me in every way. I remember with
great fondness the time spent with Bob and Ira Lynn studying and enjoying the
good things of brotherhood. Bob set me up in my first "appointment" preaching in
Kermit, Texas in 1977. He helped me with study materials from the bookstore,
McDonald's Books & Bibles, as well as personal materials. He encouraged me to
enter "full time" work and I did that in 1978 with the Highway 9 Church of
Christ in Corpus Christi. He held at least one meeting there while I was there.
When the Expository Review was begun, I was asked to do the book reviews. It was
a wonderful way to increase my exposure to a variety of materials, to increase my
personal library and to learn the discipline required by a timetable. When I
was in Lafayette, LA, I purchased McDonald's Books & Bibles and Shari and I
operated it for a number of years. I followed Bob in the work at Pecan Valley
Church of Christ in 1988 and he is fondly remembered by that good church. I
greatly regret that I spent little time with Bob in the last few years. I must
do better with those who remain and continue to encourage and influence us all
for good. Bob Craig is one of them and there are many others.
|
