Homer Haas McDonald

Homer Haas McDonald was born to Jarrell Haas and Elsie Nelson McDonald in Ft. Worth, Texas on January 11, 1923. He died peacefully on April 5, 2016 at the age of 93. He is joyfully remembered by his wife of 47 years, Ruby Hobbs McDonald, and by his beloved children, Carolyn Jo Pitman and husband Bill of Rio Rico, Arizona; Darrell McDonald and wife Flora of Novato, California; Marvin McDonald of Seattle, Washington; Lydia Elewitz of Grand Prairie, Texas; and Russell McDonald and wife Eleanor of Pflugerville, Texas. He was blessed with 8 grandchildren – Eekapahdoo, Jeffrey, Teri, Shane, Kayla, Logan, Bryce and Aidan. Homer is also survived by his sister, Betty Jane Blalock of Fredricksburg, Texas and brother, Jay Hugh McDonald and wife Bess of Ft. Worth, Texas and many nieces and nephews. His parents and his youngest sister, Joe Ann preceded him in death.

Ordained at age 18 as a minister in the Baptist church, he became a dynamic preacher. After holding a revival at the First Baptist Church in Fate, TX, he was asked to become the church's minister. While there, he also attended Baylor University full-time. He later transferred to Texas Wesleyan College where he earned his Bachelor's degree. One of his favorite memories of this time was a train trip he and his sister made to New York, where he was asked to preach at the Bowery Mission. Following college, he was drafted and joined the US Navy on April 17, 1945 where he served until World War II ended, and he was honorably discharged on May 18, 1946. Homer was an avid reader and a life-long learner. Around this time, he began taking graduate courses at San Diego State University, studying psychology and sociology. The more he studied, the more he believed his real calling was in the field of psychoanalysis. At that time students of psychoanalysis were encouraged to undergo their own psychoanalysis. Homer did this on a daily basis and eventually moved to New York City for graduate studies at Theodore Reik's National Psychological Association for Psychoanalysis. Texas drew him home and eventually he accepted a position as a lay psychoanalyst with Dr. Neville Murray in the Nix Professional Building. Later he opened his own private practice. In 1975, he graduated with a Master's Degree in psychological counseling from Our Lady of the Lake University and continued in private practice until his retirement in 1990. He was then finally able to realize one of his greatest ambitions - writing and publishing a book. The book has proven to be quite successful, and his clients have called him from all over the world, seeking his advice on how they can improve their marital relationships. Over time, his religious and professional beliefs changed. He joined the Unitarian Church because its beliefs were more in keeping with his about God and the Universe. He evolved into a Behavioral therapist and no longer practiced psychoanalysis. He lived his life as he wanted and along the way helped many people to live happier lives.

Homer's family wishes to extend their grateful thanks to the people from Superior Hospice who helped him till the end, especially Elizabeth Vazquez and Libby Untz and also his caregiver, Sarah Nieves. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's research.

SERVICE

MONDAY, APRIL 11, 2016

2:00 P.M.

PORTER LORING MORTUARY NORTH