James W McDonald

James (Mac) William McDonald, 78, passed away on October 25th 2023 in Fort Worth, Texas. He was born January 17th 1945 in Anoka, Minnesota to William Walter McDonald and Olive Fern Dunlavy, and was the oldest of three children. Mac attended Franklin Elementary, Anoka Junior High, and graduated Anoka Sr. High School in 1963. He enlisted into the United States Army July 23rd 1963 through July 22nd 1969, where he attained the rank of sergeant and was assigned to the 1st missile battalion 18th Artillery.

Mac resided in Lawton Oklahoma where he married his first wife and had two children. After moving to Crowley in 1972, he worked for Leonards Dept. Store selling men wear suits. In 1974 he began working for the City of Crowley starting in sanitation, and during this time he also started with the volunteer fire department. While at the fire department he served as a firefighter, Lieutenant and Captain.

From 1985 to 1992 he served as the department’s Fire Chief. During his tenure with the fire department he became a sworn police officer. He utilized this training to become an arson investigator, serving on the Arson investigators Task Force of Tarrant County and was the City of Crowley Fire Marshal. He helped train and mentor numerous fire personnel achieve their professional goals. Throughout his time in public works he worked his way up to the Public Works Director. Through his time in this position he helped mold and shape this department to serve the city and its citizens with distinction. From animal control, parks, streets and the city’s water department, Mac had a hand in making these departments the best it could be.

Mac had several organizations he loved to support, including the Crowley House of Hope and the Crowley Chamber of Commerce. He was the recipient of several awards including public servant of the year and the Cornerstone Award. He also loved his Tuesday night crew of Robert Loftin, Lori Watson, Carol Konhauser, Terri and Joe Horn, Leslie Wilson, Marvin Loftin and Janie Dutton. Mac will be greatly missed.

Mac is preceded in death by the love of his life Kerry McDonald; and beloved mother, Olive Van Sickle. He is survived by his children, Teresa Slade and her husband Alvin of Crowley; Jimmy McDonald and his wife Patty of San Antonio; stepson, Brandon Roach and his wife Michelle of Fort Worth; grandchildren, Tammy Brock, James Dalton, Alysia Dalton, Scott Davis and Caleb Roach; numerous great-grandchildren; sister, Sandra Jean Borders of Minnesota; and brother, Roland Fredrick “Freddie” McDonald of Montana.