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Howard Don McGee
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CopyOct 12, 1926-May 9, 2011
Don McGee, 84, died May 9, 2011.
He was born in Denton, Texas, October 12, 1926, to Howard Dixon McGee and Rossie Graham McGee.
He grew up in Bosque County, Seymore and Decatur. He moved to Fort Worth in time for his high school years, which he spent at Arlington Heights High School and the Fort Worth Technical High School, from which he graduated in 1943.
He began his military training at Tech High School achieving the rank of all City Cadet Colonel in his senior year. He was a member of Arlington Heights Methodist Church, during his school years. Upon graduation from high school, he joined the U. S. Navy as a seaman.
He entered TCU upon his separation from the Navy and earned a B.A. in Geology. After graduation from college, he was employed by WBAP-TV as a camera man and on screen reporter. At this time, he conducted the first aerial survey of the Big Bend.
Don re-entered the Navy, as an Ensign, for the Korean War, commanding his own U.D.T. (underwater demolition team). He was taken prisoner and confined to a prison camp in North Korea for fifteen months. After liberation, he returned to Fort Worth.
Don was a Mechanical Engineer and certified as a professional Enginere california He was employed by a number of companies, notably, Ocean Systems (for whom he helped design and build the world's first 1.500 foot manned diving system), and Austin Bridge and Road. He had both marketing and engineering honors in his years in Houston.
He was partnered with Dr. Shailerdra Endley in their company, Testing Unlimited, before he retired to Lake Buchanan in 1988. After three years at the lakes, he moved with his wife, Beth, to Georgetown, where he practiced as a consultant for Austin Traffic Signal Company for over twenty years.
In his later years, Don also became a Certified Senior Equine Appraiser. His was a wide clientele including attorneys, insurance companies and others in need of equine appraisals. He was loved by the many young people he mentored on their way to becoming appraisers and other roles in the horse industry.
Don is survived by his wife, Beth, of Burnet, and three daughters: Susan Hays of Napa, California, Becky Pursley of Austin, Texas, and Paula Meharg of Keller, Texas. He is also survived by three granddaughters, Sara Pursley, Amber Meharg and Ashley Meharg.
Memorial Services were held at Burnet Presbyterian Church, May 13 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Burnet Presbyterian Church, 101 S. Pierce St., Burnet, Texas 78611.
Words of condolences may be shared with the family at www.cookwaldendavis-funeralhome.com.
Arrangements were made by Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home, 2900 Williams Drive, Georgetown, Texas 78628, 512.863.2564.
Copyright 2011 Burnet Bulletin, Burnet, Texas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.
© 2011 Burnet Bulletin Burnet, Texas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.
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