Donald Don Robert McPherson

On July 17, 2013 in Round Rock, Texas, Donald Robert McPherson passed to the reward God has held for him since July 28, 1926, when he was born to Robert Lauren McPherson and his wife, Dora Lillian Trout, in Houston, Texas. His birth mother died when Don was only 18 months old and consequently, he was reared by his father and stepmother, Mayme Barnhart Roper, who was much loved and respected by Don. His schooling occurred in Houston, where he graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School. At the age of 17, Don enlisted as seaman first class in the United States Navy, eager to serve during World War II.

He was initially deployed to the naval base in Chicago, Illinois and was transferred to the University of Houston for training; then sent to the naval base in Corpus Christi, Texas. His last station was in San Diego, California, where he served as a radar technician, repairing radar systems on planes damaged during combat. Don liked to say he served 2 years, 3 months, and 19 days and was eager to return to his home in Houston. He then attended the University of Houston and then went to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, where he retired in 1982 after 35 years of service.

Don was an avid golfer and served as president of the telephone company golfers association, where he made many fellow golfing friends. He also loved camping in their RV and traveling, which came in handy for another of his hobbies; genealogical research, in which he was involved for some 20 years. In his Scottish research, he was very successful and was then led into the German roots of his birth mother. He shared his findings with all interested parties. After a trip to Scotland, where he got to fulfill his dream of visiting the famous St. Andrews Golf Course. He came home to determine which old Scot came to America and established his family line.

Don is survived by his wife of 37 years, Louise Click Ingle McPherson of New Braunfels, Texas. Surviving also is a son, Donald Clifford McPherson of Houston, and two granddaughters, two step daughters, Laura Dore' and her husband Patrick of Pflugerville, Texas and Louann Gum and husband Kenneth, of Lebanon, Tennessee and two grandsons, two nieces, Peggy Poncio and husband Mike of Conroe, Texas, and Marianne Finch of Houston.

Don's father had been left with 3 children from his first marriage after his wife died in the great influenza epidemic. From that family, Don is survived by his brother, James Lauren McPherson, age 101, of Houston, Texas. His two sisters, who preceded him in death were Elizabeth McPherson Hamilton and Laureen McPherson Simmons of Houston.

Don will be sorely missed by those who loved and admired him. Visitation will be Sunday, July 21st from 5-7 PM at Zoeller Funeral Home, 615 Landa St., in New Braunfels, Texas. Graveside service only will be at 11:00 AM Monday July 22, 2013 at Hill Country Memorial Gardens, 10 miles west of New Braunfels on Hwy. 46. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to the Alzheimer's Association.