Carson McDonald 1960-2018
Carson Alexander McDonald, Sr., passed away peacefully while surrounded by his adoring family at his home in Dallas on Aug. 14, 2018, after a courageous 20-month battle with brain cancer.
He was born Jan. 15, 1960 in Dallas.
He was the fifth child of Marvin Vester McDonald, Jr. and Alys Elaine James. He attended Dallas schools, graduating from Adamson High School in 1978.
He met Laurie Wilhite in 1977. They were married on July 17, 1980, this beginning their beautiful and amazing adventure of living and loving life together as best friends until his death 38 years and 29 days later.
He was an avid golfer and Dallas Cowboys fan and was his children’s number one fan. No matter his schedule, he attended football, golf, softball, volleyball, track, basketball, tennis, rugby and other school events.
He was a Boy Scouts of America Scoutmaster who organized the first troop at the J. Erik Jonsson Community School (now Momentous School), volunteer and president of the Tyler Street Christian Academy Booster Club, and self-appointed assistant golf coach at Bishop Dunne High School. Carson beamed while celebrating each of his children’s life achievements. Every birthday, graduation, marriage, and holiday usually brought on the “Daddy Dance.”
After raising four amazing children and retiring from a 30-year wholesale pharmaceutical career in Dallas, he and Laurie moved to Edgewood in 2010.
He spent many hours in his garden and got a kick out of sharing the bounty. He and Laurie, together, enjoyed exploring the backroads of Van Zandt County, volunteering at Edgewood Heritage Park and the Van Zandt County Genealogical Library, and working to help cleanup and restore Hillcrest Cemetery in Canton.
They could often be seen at local auctions, buying and selling, but mostly socializing. In recent years, their both became a staple at First Monday.
He estimated he and Laurie subsequently became friends with more people after moving to Edgewood than the precious 50 years he lived in Dallas.
He is survived by his wife; son, Carson Alexander (Alex) McDonald, Jr and his wife, Lauren, of Little Rock, Ark.; son Chase McDonald of Addison; daughter, Lauren Vakos and husband, Mark, of Plano; and son Chad McDonald and wife, Gabby, of Dallas. He is also survived by his brother, Vester McDonald of Hillsboro; sisters, Ninette and Marguerite McDonald of Dallas; father-in-law, Joe Wilhite and wife, Joyce; three nieces and one nephew.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Alys Rankin.
Devoted, hard working, strong, smart, witty and Texas-proud, he loved his family unconditionally and lived with the utmost integrity.
While many coffee cups are adorned with either the greatest husband or father, he truly was both.
A celebration of life with family and friends will be planned for a later date.
Contributions to the Edgewood Heritage Park (PO Box 765, Edgewood, 75117) and First Tee of Greater Dallas (16200 Addison Rd, Suite 255, Addison, 75001 or www.thefirstteedallas.org) are appreciated in lieu of flowers.
