Clifton McDonald

Clifton C. McDonald, 96, of Cool, Texas went to be with the Lord and rejoined his wife, Peggy, on Friday, January 2, 2015. Cliff was born to Charles Edgar McDonald and Maybel Arline Singletary McDonald on May 29, 1918 in Garner, Texas. He had five brothers: Ab McDonald, JM McDonald, Junior McDonald, Richard McDonald and Linnis McDonald along with five sisters: Modene Peipelman, Flogene Gary, Faye Gilbert, Cordell Teel and Leta Kates. On July 1, 1940, at the age of 22, he enlisted in the United States Army with the 36th Infantry Division also known as the "Texas Division" or "T-Patchers", which was a modular division of the United States Army and the Texas Army National Guard. It was activated for service in World War II on November 25, 1940, and sent overseas in April 1943. He served his country for 4 years, 11 months and 28 days as a Sergeant and Chief of Section in Battery C. 132nd Field Artillery Bn. during World War II during which he was took part in battles and campaigns in Rhineland, Southern France, Naples - Foggia, Rome- Arno, Central Europe. He was awarded the American Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, EAME Campaign Medal with five bronze stars and the Purple Heart. On June 28, 1945 he returned home to his family and on December 30, 1947 he married the love of his life, Peggy Marie Ledbetter and together they made their home in Cool, Texas. Clifton returned to farming and became well known in the community for his ability to troubleshoot and repair most any farming equipment. He was a deacon and founding member of the Cool Assembly of God Church. Clifton was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years (two months shy of 66 years) Peggy McDonald, his parents Ed and Arline McDonald, brothers Ab, JM, Junior and Richard and sisters Modene, Flogene, Faye and Cordelle. He is survived by two sons, Richard McDonald of Hitchcock, Texas, Russell McDonald and wife Becky of Cool, Texas; three daughters, Mary Thornberry and husband Mike of Cool, Texas, Marsha McDonald of Cool, Texas and Rebekah McDonald-Lee and husband Bryan of Weatherford, Texas; grandchildren, Richard McDonald, Siobhan McDonald, Kevin McDonald, Shelley Taborsky, Brent Oakley, Joshua McDonald, Jil McDonald, and Jachob Christian; and ten great-grandchildren as well as numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. Visitation is Monday, January 5, 2015 from 6-8 p.m. at Baum-Carlock-Bumgardner Funeral Home in Mineral Wells, Texas. Funeral service will be held Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Cool Assembly of God Church in Cool, Texas with burial following at Holders Chapel Cemetery.