Toy Russell McDonald

Birth date: May 23, 1930 Death date: Aug 13, 2020

Toy Russell McDonald, 90, passed away on Thursday, August 13, 2020 in Houston, Texas. He was born to parents, Lillie and Toy McDonald on May 23, 1930 in Houston, Texas. Preceded in death by wife Maureen, June of 2020. Left to ch Read Obituary

Wall Obituary Events Media

Bob Duzan

257w ago

What a guy he was for me. I first got to know Toy through the Pasadena runners and for awhile I tried to chase him, but usually he left me in the dust. I remember one race where I was behind him and he turned a corner and I never saw him anymore. I asked him later where did you go? He just smiled and winked. Toy was a great friend as he and Earl taught me how to bike. I remember in later years one day the bike group dropped me and I was struggling. Suddenly Toy shows up, as he turned around noticing I was absent. He then lead me back to the group. He was a great buddy and I miss his wit and wisdom. It's sad that both he and Maureen are gone.... but definitely not forgotten.

Bob Duzan

Lily Mcdonald

267w ago

“I’m a huge football fan, and one of the factors for that reason is that before I moved up to Pennsylvania, every Sunday my dad and I would go up to Pa’s house to watch football. I had zero idea what was going on, but I loved spending time with Pa and watching him analyze the game. He was calm, collected, and caring.”
Lily

[email protected]

267w ago

We have so many memories of Toy and Maureen that it is difficult to narrow the selection for this space. Most of our memories center around running, cycling, playing dominoes, and eating! Laughter abounded because Toy loved to kid, and there was always someone to tease! Toy and Earl loved to remines when they got together about their many, many bicycling and running adventures that got bigger and better as time went on. Lueron recalls all the support he gave after Earl's accident. He also drove to Dallas for Earl's heart surgery. A better friend would be hard to find. He could be crusty, but we knew what a softie he really was. We will miss him and Maureen the rest of our lives.

Joseph P. Mcdonald

267w ago

This year has taken words from me. One misery after another has left me feeling not numb, but actually quite the opposite: clogged with feeling. Most of them negative. Some days it’s all I can do just to get through without cracking. Not talking to anyone. A ghost. Not letting anything out for fear of letting everything out.
I have a memory I cling to. It’s 2003. I’ve been bringing Lily over to Nanny Mac and Pa’s to watch the Texans play on Sundays. The Texans are horrible, but they’re new, just like Lily. Everything feels new, but some things are getting older. Pa is one of those things. Pa falls asleep a lot.
The Texans are playing the Browns. It’s a dull game. Pa is sitting in his chair with his eyes closed. Lily is asleep. Nanny Mac is at church, I think. It’s quiet. The Browns get a first down.
“The Browns have two running backs,” Pa says suddenly. “One named White, one named Green. They’re wearing orange helmets.” He chuckles to himself, and drifts back off to sleep smiling. Maybe he thinks he’s made a joke, maybe he’s just marveling at some quirk of life that gives him joy, maybe he’s just talking in his sleep.
He’s right though. The Browns do have two running backs, one named White, one named Green, and they’re wearing orange helmets.
Lily sneezes in her sleep. It’s quiet. Everything feels new.

Rachel Mcdonald

267w ago

Pa was the best kind of grandpa. He was hilarious, usually had an interesting story to tell or memory to share, could fix all things broken, and really loved his sweets. Last Thanksgiving I had brought a dessert to share, which Pa was ready to dig into right away. He asked Nan what I had brought but before she could tell him he smiled and said “If Rachel made it I should just shut up and eat it!” Hands down my favorite reaction to my baking.

What really stands out most to me though is how devoted Pa was to his bride and his family. Pa always looked out for Nan and did whatever he could to make her feel happy, safe, and loved. Seeing Pa’s love, care, and respect for Nan over the years was a true gift to his family. He passed these lessons onto his children and grandchildren. Part of the reason Brian is the wonderful husband & man he is, is because of the examples set before him by his father and grandfather. Thank you, Pa.

Love,
Rachel

Anonymous

267w ago

Sent a Lily and Rose Tribute Spray to the McDonald family.

A stunning display of red roses and white lilies adorned with greenery, perfect for celebrations.

Send flowers

Caitlin Hope Mandrell

267w ago

I want to start by thanking everyone for coming today to share their love and memories of my grandfather but we aren’t here today because of Toy McDonald, we aren’t here today because of Pa… we’re here today because when two people share 24,822 days together, 69 days without one is just not bearable. I have lived 13,685 days, and for 13,677 of those days I have only known the names Nan and Pa to be spoken as one… Nan and Pa. It’s like mac and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, Nan and Pa. They were a team, they were partners, they were soulmates. Nan was of course the good cop. She’d make your favorite meal, she’d bake your favorite cookies, she’d ask about doctors appointments that you forgot you told her about, she’d write you a thank you note for the thank you note you wrote her. Pa, he was the bad cop… he’d fuss at you when you messed up, he’d make you regret ever letting him find out you messed up, he’d loan you the money but charge you interest to teach you what to truly value, he’d steal your cookie right out of your hand if you didn’t remember to grab one for him too. But he would also start the hot tub in the middle of August because he knew you would want to go swimming when you came over that day. Pa and Nan, Nan and Pa. They were a team like no other. I remember one year I was signing the birthday card for Pa and I accidently wrote “To Nan and Pa”, let us be honest the gift was really for both. I have lived every day of my life knowing that Nan and Pa go together. They garden together, they watched tv together, they worked together, they raised their kids together, they played together and most importantly they loved together. I’d love to say that on June 12, 2020 when I was standing up here talking about my Nan, that I didn’t think I’d be here again so soon, but the truth is, I knew that my Pa needed his wife. You see after 24,822 days together; he still called her his bride. So last Thursday, after 69 days apart, Nan and Pa were back where they belonged. Together. I now get to live the rest of my days with the 13,677 memories I was blessed to receive from the most amazing grandparents I could ever wish to have.

Emily Mcdonald

267w ago

Pa shared many stories that were true and embellished. He was a handyman over the years who could fix anything but sometimes overdid it like Tim Allen. Pa was Tim Allen before Tim Allen. Here is an example of a true story about my Pa. One day decided that he would create a high-tech garage door and show it off to his buddies and family. Pa really greased the door up and while he was demonstrating the new garage door, it flew up the tracks, crashed through the back wall of the garage and landed in the backyard.
Now on the other hand here is one of his embellished stories. Pa there again new how to fix things, even the hiccups! But this he said was one of his old army tricks. He would have you drink water out of a cup but through a dirty bar rag. Pa was always proud of his grandchildren and their accomplishments. One thing was asking me about my school grades. He called 100's A100 goods but didn't understand how I could receive a 110 so we called those AA 100 goods.

Pa this isn't a goodbye but see you later. Take care of Nan and love you both always.

Emily

Barbara Belbot

267w ago

Pa was a tough guy but not a bully. He was interesting and funny. He teased me with a sly smile on his face. Pa lived life a good life. He had fun. He built stuff. Pa tried new things.He worked hard. He loved Nanny Mac with all his heart. He gave to his family in so many ways. I am truly blessed to have had him as my father-in-law. I will miss him.

Rita Ille

267w ago

The first recollection of my cousin Toy was when I was seven years of age. Aunt Lily sent him to our farm in Lexington, Oklahoma to spend the summer with our family. Even then he was "larger than life". He was fearless. Of all the shenanigans boys tend to do in wide open spaces on a warm summer day, Toy decided to knock down a large nest of Yellow Jackets from an apple tree. My two older brothers stood far away knowing this battle was not going to end well and they were correct. He was covered with several stings on his shoulders, back and arms. Aunt Jackie applied her secret potion of "blue dye" used in washing jeans and denim shirts. From that day on, he had a huge respect for those flying, stinging Yellow Jackets.

Our families would get together once or twice a year until marriage, raising kids and jobs took precedent, but regardless of all life's journeys, we managed to stay in touch.

I will always remember the two months I spent with Toy and Maureen when I was undergoing Proton treatments at M. D. Anderson. Rita and I both agree that my cancer was a "gift from God" because it brought our families back together.

He was a phenomenal athlete who "took no prisoners". He refused to lose and he especially enjoyed beating someone younger.

Toy McDonald was and always will be my HERO.

Love you Lots Cousin. Give a kiss to Aunt Lilly, Mom Jackie, Maureen,Darrell and Warren.

Caitlin Hope Mandrell

267w ago

Tribute Wall

Tribute Wall