Growing up in Port Arthur, Weylon developed a love for hard work, the outdoors, and mischief. He earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at The University of Texas, then joined the United States Navy and served for 2 years as an officer on the U.S.S. Lexington. It was during those years that many came to know him as "Les." Weylon and Lynelle Tuma were married April 4, 1959. They had two children, Randy and Kathy. The family of four lived in Colorado and Illinois before coming back "home" to Texas in 1963.
As an engineer, after working for Shell and Monsanto, Les and long-time friend Charles Cody joined Baytown Engineering Company around 1966. Later, he, Pat Mann and Bruce Nail formed MNM Engineering Associates in Houston, which he maintained until he retired.
Les made family connections a high priority. As children, he and his brothers shared summers with their Ellison cousins. He looked forward to and attended family reunions each year where he enjoyed visiting with his aunts, uncles and cousins. He and his brothers kept their families close throughout their lives as they spent time in the outdoors together hunting, boating and ranching. When it was time to give gifts, he chose and wrapped them himself, meticulously, with engineering precision and each family gathering was documented with pictures that he and Kathy have carefully indexed for future generations.
As his children were growing up, Les served in their church, Memorial Baptist, Baytown, as an R.A. (Royal Ambassadors) leader and coach while Lynelle served as a G.A. (Girls in Action) leader. Sadly, on January 28, 1975, Les, Randy and Kathy lost Lynelle to cancer. The strong bonds with family and the church that Les and Lynelle had fostered would help them through the loss.
Les had many interests including hunting, fishing, camping, boating, and ranching. Les loved to build, maintain, and operate machinery of all kinds. His affinity for cars (especially Lincolns) and tractors (John Deere were his favorites) is evidenced by a garage he built that rivals the size of his home. He was a pilot and owned a Cessna Skyhawk airplane. His favorite poem by John Magee, "High Flight," gives insight into his love for flight.
Through dear friends from the church, Les was introduced to Mary Bean. Their friendship deepened through the years and they married on June 11, 1994. The two enjoyed 25 years of plane rides, travel and watching their family grow. The grandchildren know them as "Big Dad" or "Big Mac" and "Molly."
Les was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Orene Ellison McDonald, his 1st wife, Lynelle Tuma McDonald, and his brother, Floyd Ellison McDonald. He is survived by his brother, Dr. Malcolm Dwain McDonald and wife Jane of Fort Worth and their children and grandchildren. He is also survived by his wife, Mary Tolar McDonald; children, Randall Keith McDonald and wife Carol, and Kathleen Ellyn McDonald Duncan and husband Byron; grandchildren Jason Randall McDonald and wife Melanie, Blake Alton McDonald, Lance Byron Duncan and wife Lizzie, Grace Lynelle McDonald, and Keith Weylon Duncan and fiancé Cassidy; stepchildren Ashley Bean Thornton and husband Craig, and Robin Carlysle Bean Murray and husband Kirk; step-grandchildren Benjamin Kirk Murray, Austin Allen Murray and wife Sydney, and Megan Carlysle Murray; one great grandson Jaxton Ray Duncan; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be in the chapel at Memorial Baptist Church, Baytown, at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 3, 2019, with the funeral service following at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in Port Arthur that afternoon.
In lieu of flowers, if you wish to make a donation please consider the music ministry at Memorial Baptist Church in Baytown, Texas or to the American Cancer Society or to the Alzheimer’s Association.
