Karen Alicia McDonald

July 19, 2021, from her home in New Braunfels, Texas. Karen was born on May 20, 1970, to

Hermine Thomas in Kingston, Jamaica. She immigrated to the United States on December 30,

1988 where she would immediately lay the foundation for a remarkable life and career.

Karen demonstrated an insatiable desire to learn and educate herself in new and challenging

disciplines. She attended the Dyke Business College in Cleveland Ohio from 1989 to 1991 and

studied economics and business management. Karen entered military service on January 4,

1993 and completed the United States Air Force Basic Military Training in 4 physically and

mentally grueling weeks. After proving herself worthy to be a warfighter, it was on to the Air

Force specialty training where she quickly mastered the skills as a Morale, Welfare and

Recreation specialist at Sheppard AFB, Wichita Falls, TX. Karen’s first assignment was at K.I.

Sawyer AFB, Michigan. After 3 1/2 years of stellar performance, she was transferred to Beale

AFB, California.

Her next 17 years were spent overseas completing some of the most exciting and sought-after

assignments in the Air Force. In December of 2005, she earned her Associate in Applied

Science Degree in Restaurant, Hotel and Fitness Management from the Community College of

the Air Force. Still, her ambitious drive propelled her to complete a series of additional

professional training and education.

In June 2005, Karen completed the Senior Noncommissioned Officer Professional Military

Education at the Air University. She completed and obtained certification in the Air University

Food and Management Course on February 29, 2008. She also completed the Air Force

Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy Advance course in June 2013. Karen continued to

work hard on her education despite her already impactful record. She earned the Nuclear

Surety Inspector certification in January 2014. Shortly thereafter, she obtained her Bachelor’s

Degree in Human Resource Management in May 2014 from the University of Maryland. Her

assignments include Japan, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Ecuador, Illinois and many more

temporary assignments. Yes, one could say that Karen has traveled the world and the seven

seas and her achievements along the way were noteworthy.

Karen’s Air Force decorations, medals and ribbons include the Meritorious Service Medal with 3

Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Medal with 1 Service Star, Armed Forces Expeditionary

Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service

Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Overseas Ribbon Long with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Force

Good Conduct Medal with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Air Force Longevity Service with 5 Oak

Leaf Clusters.

Karen retired from the Air Force on April 27, 2018, after 25 years and 1 month of impeccable

service. Her leadership skills and love of education were quite evident and her achievements in

the U.S. Air Force were undeniable.

In addition to traveling, Karen enjoyed reading, spending time with family and friends and going

to church. At any given time, you would find her encouraging younger family members and

mentoring young Airmen to do well and strive for greatness in their lives. Karen was selfless,

kind and enjoyed life to the fullest.

She was preceded in death by her grandmother Louise McDonald. Those left to cherish her

memory include her mother, Hermine Thomas of Cleveland Ohio, and a host of other relatives

and friends. Karen will be greatly missed and will continue to live on in our hearts.

HOME GOING SERVICE

MONDAY, AUGUST 16, 2021

12:00 P.M.

PORTER LORING NORTH CHAPEL

Interment will follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Service was livestreamed and can be viewed below: